HISTORY 

OF 

THE   SECOND   REGIMENT 

ILLINOIS  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY 


COL.  GKO.  M.  HOUSTON 

SECOND    REGIMENT   ILLINOIS  VOLUNTEERS 


HISTORY 


SECOND  REGIMENT 


ILLINOIS  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY 


ORGANIZATION  TO  MUSTER-OUT 


EDITED    BY 


H.   W.   BOLTON,  CHAPLAIN 
\\ 


CHICAGO 

R.  R.  DONNELLEY  &  SONS  COMPANY 
1899 


COPYRIGHT,  1899, 
BY  HORACE  W.  BOLTON,  CHICAGO,  ILL. 


THIS  VOLUME  IS  AFFECTIONATELY  DEDICATED 

TO   THE    MEMORY   OK   THOSE   DEVOTED    MEN 
OF   THE 

SECOND   ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY, 

WHO,    WHILE   COURAGEOUSLY   AWAITING 
THE    SUMMONS   TO    FACE    THE   ENEMY   OF  THEIR    BELOVED   COUNTRY,   FELL   VICTIMS 

TO   A    MORE   INSIDIOUS   FOE. 

THOUGH    NOT    THEIRS   TO    MEET    A    GLORIOUS    DEATH    IN    THE    HOUR    OF    VICTORY    UPON 

THE    BATTLEFIELD,    NO    LESS    SURELY   DID    THEY   OFFER    UP 

THEIR   LIVES    A    WILLING    SACRIFICE    UPON 

THE    ALTAR    OF    PATRIOTISM. 
SUFFERING    AND    PRIVATION    THEY    FACED    WITHOUT    MURMUR,    AND 

WITHOUT  THOUGHT   OF    APPLAUSE  ; 

BUT    NONE    THE    LESS    WILL    THEY    LIVE     IN    THE     HEARTS    OF    THEIR    COUNTRYMEN    AS 

TRUE    HEROES    WHO   DIED    FOR   THE    CAUSE   OF   THE   OPPRESSED    AND 

THE    HONOR   OF  THEIR   COUNTRY. 


M150786 


CONTENTS 

CHAPTER  PAGF 
I.     HISTORY  OF   THK  SECOND  ILLINOIS  NATIONAL 

GUARD           -                                                                                -  -           II 

II.     SPRINGFIELD,  ILL.        -  25 

III.  JACKSONVILLE,  FLA.  .       32 

IV.  RIFLE  RANGE    -  42 
V.     SAVANNAH,  GA.  -       ^ 

VI.     TRIP  TO  HAVANA,  CUBA  65 

VII.     THIRD  BATTALION'S  TRIP  TO  HAVANA,  CUBA  -       77 

VIII.     ORGANIZING  HAVANA  POLICE  86 

IX.     HAVANA,  CUBA  96 

X.     CHANGING  FLAGS  108 

XL     CAMP  COLUMBIA  .     128 

XII.     HOMEWARD  BOUND                                 .  148 

XIII.  MAINE  DAY  IN  HAVANA  164 

XIV.  GENERAL  A.  S.  BURT               -  169 
XV.     REGIMENTAL  STAFF  -     187 

XVI.     FIELD  OFFICERS  .           220 

XVII.       NON-COMMISSIONED    STAFF  234 

XVIII.     COMPANY   A  244 

XIX.     COMPANY  B  -     259 

XX.     COMPANY  C        -  275 

XXI.     COMPANY  D  289 

XXII.     COMPANY  E        -  -           306 


4  CONTENTS 

CHAPTER  PAGE 

XXIII.  COMPANY  F  3T9 

XXIV.  COMPANY  G   -  335 
XXV.  COMPANY  H  -     347 

XXVI.  COMPANY  I  36° 

XXVII.  COMPANY  K  37° 

XXVIII.  COMPANY  L    -  383 

XXIX.  COMPANY  M  404 

XXX.  REMINISCENCES  420 

XXXI.  MUSTER  OUT        -                          -  -     438 


LIST    OF    ILLUSTRATIONS 

ADAMS,  LIEUTENANT  F.  W 254 

ALPHONSO  XIII. 365 

AMBULANCE 41 

BAADE,  LIEUTENANT  ADOLPH 385 

BAND 237,  238,  240 

BAND  STAND 140 

BAKERY   147 

BARRED  WINDOWS 100 

BATH,  LIEUTENANT  L.  M 215 

BAUDER,  LIEUTENANT  JOHN  253 

BEATY,  LIEUTENANT  E.  A 355 

BENNING,  CAPTAIN  A.  A 371 

BENES,  LIEUTENANT  J.  D 261 

BLANCO,  GENERAL 1 18 

BOLTON,  CAPTAIN  H.  W 217 

BOXING  CLUB 312 

BONES  OF  THE  POOR 134 

BREAKING  CAMP  49 

BRISTOL,  LIEUTENANT  G.  W 278 

BROOKS,  CAPTAIN  R.  E 291 

BURNES,  LIEUTENANT  B.  J 321 

BURT,  GENERAL  A.  S 170 

BYRNE,  LIEUTENANT  J.  G 211 

CAMP  BOLTON   267 

CARS  ii7 

CASPERS,  LIEUTENANT  FRANK  S 371 

CATHEDRAL 103 

CEMETERY 165 

CHADWICK,  CAPTAIN  W.  A 66 

CHAMBERLAIN,  LIEUTENANT  F.  V.  S 349 

CHRISTMAS  240 

COMPANY  A 247,  249,  251,  257 

COMPANY  B  263,  265,  271 

5 


O  LIST    OF    ILLUSTRATIONS 

COMPANY  C 279,  281,  283,  284 

COMPANY  D 37,  293,  299,  301,  303 

COMPANY  E 309,  317 

COMPANY  F 223,  325,  329,  331 

COMPANY  G 339,  343 

COMPANY  H  353 

COMPANY  I  363 

COMPANY  K 375 

COMPANY  L 389,  397 

COMPANY  M   409,  413 

CUSTOM  HOUSE 123 

DANIELS,  BUGLER  JESSE 242 

DOME  BUILDING  25,  27 

DUSENBERRY,  MAJOR  W.  P 1 1 6,  225 

DURAND,  LIEUTENANT  W.  J 349 

EVACUATION  COMMITTEE 112 

FLAG  RAISING 109,  123 

FREEMAN,  LIEUTENANT  H.  J 371 

GARRITY,  CAPTAIN  J.  J 349 

GARWOOD,  LIEUTENANT  J.  S 337 

GOMEZ,  GENERAL 115 

GOVERNOR'S  PALACE  108 

GREENE,  GENERAL  F 87 

IRICSON,  LIEUTENANT  E.  A 405 

HARBOR 83 

HAUSSNER,  LIEUTENANT  A.  A 405 

HAVANA  95 

HEADQUARTERS 129 

HOLDEN,  LIEUTENANT  E.  F 291 

HOSPITAL   39,  137 

HOTCHKISS,  LIEUTENANT- COLONEL  W.  D 17,  191 

JACKSONVILLE 31 

JACK  ON  ST.  PATRICK'S  DAY 241 

JUDD,  COLONEL  Louis  S 16 

KAGLE,  G.  H 167 

KERRICK,  LIEUTENANT  H.  S 291 

KODAK  FIEND 85 

KOEHLER,  CAPTAIN  F.  E 361 

LAAS,  CAPTAIN  F.  W 201 

LEE,  MAJOR-GENERAL  FITZHUGH 33 


LIST    OF    ILLUSTRATIONS  7 

LINO,  CAPTAIN  PAUL  B 245 

LYDSTON,  MAJOR  G.  F 195 

MACEO,  GENERAL 175 

MAINE  (WRECK  OF)  73 

MAIL  WAGON  138 

MAIR,  CAPTAIN  THOMAS  1 275 

MARQUIS,  MAJOR  GEORGE  P 197 

MAYESKIE,  LIEUTENANT  J.  R 337 

MCCONOLOGUE,  LIEUTENANT  T.  J 261 

MCFADDEN,  CAPTAIN  J 405 

MCFEELY,  CAPTAIN  WILLIS  337 

McKiNLEY,  PRESIDENT  442 

MEAT  MARKET  135 

MECHENER,  CAPTAIN  F.  W 209 

MESS  63 

METCALF,  LIEUTENANT  W.  C 361 

MICHIGAN  TRANSPORT 66,  69 

MOBILE  (TRANSPORT)   79 

MONUMENTS   54,  150 

MORRO  CASTLE 71 

MOULTON,  COLONEL  GEORGE  M 188 

MOULTON,  MRS.  GEORGE  M 44 

NUSSBAUMER,  CAPTAIN  HENRY  307 

OFFICERS 427 

OFFICERS'  MESS  146 

OLD  GLORY  in 

OSMAR,  SERGEANT-MAJOR  PETER 234 

PACK  HORSE  439 

PETS  131 

PENITENTIARY   92 

PRADO 97 

POLICE   89,  90 

PORTER,  LIEUTENANT  R.  S 213 

POSTMASTER  125 

PURINTON,  MAJOR  H.  G 227 

PURINTON,  LIEUTENANT  B.  S 361 

QUARTERMASTER'S  DEPARTMENT  160 

QUIRK,  COLONEL  JAMES  12 

RAISING  THE  FLAG 109,  123 

REHM,  LIEUTENANT  A.  D 321 


LIST    OF    ILLUSTRATIONS 

RIFLE  RANGE 42 

ROSEBUD  (HORSE)   61 

ROSENTHRAL,  SERGEANT  M.  S 232 

SAUNDERS,  QUARTERMASTER- SERGEANT  H.  R 235 

SAVANNAH   52 

SENTINEL  (BOWERS)   57 

SENTINEL  (ROBB) 58 

SHERWIN,  CAPTAIN  JAMES  P 199 

SCHEYING,  LIEUTENANT  J.  P 231 

SLAYTER,  DR.  JOHN  47 

SODA  FOUNT  IN  HAVANA 379 

SOLDIERS,  SPANISH 121 

STABLES  141 

STANSFIELD,  CAPTAIN  J.  H 321 

STEWARDS   (HOSPITAL)    236 

STREET  SCENES 75,  101,  114.  422 

STUART,  MAJOR  JAMES  E 219 

SUNSET  Row 143 

S  WATER,  CAPTAIN  J.  W 385 

TALMAGE,  CAPTAIN  F.  D 206 

TEAMSTERS  142 

TEMPLE  (LITTLE)   106 

TENT  Y.  M.  C.  A 140 

THANKSGIVING  DINNER  64 

THOMPSON,  CAPTAIN  S.  B 203 

TITUS,  LEEUTENANT  E.  H 307 

TORPEDO  HEADQUARTERS   156 

UNFRIED,  LIEUTENANT  W.  J 385 

VANNATTA,  LIEUTENANT  J.  E 307 

VANZANT,  CAPTAIN  O.  S 252 

VICTOR  (HORSE)   60 

WHEELER,  GENERAL  H.  A 13 

WRIGHT,  CAPTAIN  C.  P 261 

ZIEGFELD,  COLONEL  FLORENCE 15 


PREFACE 

The  brief,  though  brilliant,  war  with  Spain  which 
ended  so  gloriously  for  the  American  arms,  furnished 
but  limited  opportunity  for  the  display  of  the  fighting 
qualities  of  the  American  Volunteer  Soldier.  Com 
paratively  few  of  the  regiments  of  the  enormous  army 
so  rapidly  recruited  were  destined  ever  to  be  actually 
engaged  in  active  warfare  before  the  enemy.  In  view 
of  the  possibility  of  a  more  protracted  struggle  the 
Government  had  massed  large  forces  in  Southern 
camps,  with  the  double  intention  of  acclimatizing  the 
soldiers,  and  of  holding  them  in  readiness  for  trans 
portation  to  Cuba,  should  their  services  be  needed  there. 

The  actual  hostilities  came  to  an  abrupt  termina 
tion  with  the  Battle  of  Santiago,  but  the  peace  negotia 
tions  were  still  incomplete,  and  the  possibility  of  com 
plications  arising  rendered  indispensable  the  mainte 
nance  of  a  considerable  force  in  Cuba,  and  at  points  in 
the  United  States  adjacent  thereto,  for  several  months 
after.  This  service,  the  most  trying,  because  the  most 
monotonous,  that  soldiers  are  called  upon  to  perform, 
fell  to  the  lot  of  the  Second  Illinois. 

The  history  of  armies  in  all  countries  shows  that 
the  forced  inaction  of  prolonged  camp  life  is  detri 
mental  alike  to  health  and  discipline,  and  consequently 
destructive  to  efficiency.  There  could  be,  then,  no 
stronger  proof  of  the  high  military  qualities  of  the 
Second  Illinois  than  the  fact  that  under  these  trying 
conditions,  although  sickness  thinned  its  ranks,  the 

9 


IO  PREFACE 

spirit  which  animated  its  members  remained  unim 
paired,  while  in  drill,  discipline,  and  deportment,  the 
command  showed  rapid  and  uninterrupted  improve 
ment. 

While,  therefore,  the  glories  of  the  battlefield  were 
by  force  of  circumstances  withheld  from  the  Second 
Illinois,  yet  the  steadfastness  of  purpose,  the  ready 
obedience  to  orders,  the  eagerness  to  acquire  all  knowl 
edge  necessary  to  efficiency,  plainly  indicated  that  had 
events  shaped  themselves  differently  the  same  qualities 
which  placed  the  regiment  easily  in  the  front  rank  of 
regiments  in  the  war  camps,  would  have  carried  their 
standards  to  victory  in  the  forefront  of  battle. 

The  Compiler's  thanks  are  respectfully  tendered  to 
Doctors  Porter  and  Bath,  Lieut.  Gaspers,  and  others 
for  valuable  assistance  received  in  the  preparation  of 
this  work,  and  also  to  the  author  of  "The  History  of 
the  Second  Regiment  Illinois  National  Guard,"  whence 
many  valuable  facts  were  obtained. 

HORACE  W.  BOLTON, 

Chaplain  Second  Illinois 

Volunteer  Infantrv. 


CHAPTER  I 

ILLINOIS    NATIONAL    GUARD 

After  the  close  of  the  War  of  the  Rebellion,  the 
military  spirit  which  had  been  evoked  to  so  remark 
able  a  degree  by  that  great  conflict  appeared  to  die 
away  as  rapidly  as  it  had  been  kindled.  Thought 
ful  men  feared  that  it  might  ere  long  become  ex 
tinct,  and  another  great  National  emergency  find 
the  Nation  as  little  prepared  to  cope  with  it  as  did 
the  crisis  just  past. 

Matters  were  at  this  juncture  when,  in  1875, 
some  patriotic  citizens  of  Chicago  came  to  the  con 
clusion  that  the  few  semi-military  bodies  of  incon 
siderable  strength,  which  then  composed  the  city's 
forces,  but  ill  represented  the  dignity  of  a  great  and 
growing  municipality. 

These  considerations  led  to  the  formation  of  the 
First  Regiment  of  the  Illinois  National  Guard;  and 
the  success  of  the  enterprise  led  to  the  raising,  a 
short  time  after,  of  the  Second  Regiment,  the  sub 
ject  of  the  present  history. 

In  its  inception  the  Second  Regiment  was  com 
posed  of  citizens  of  Irish  extraction,  and  consisted 
of. one  battalion  of  six  companies,  Major  James 
Quirk  being  the  first  commanding  officer.  The  fol 
lowing  was  the  roster  of  the  company  officers : 


12 


HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 


Captains — E.  J.  Cunliffe,  J.  J.  Higgins,  J.  Mur 
phy,  William  Marsh,  Daniel  Quirk,  D.  Ryan,  J.  A. 
Eagle. 

First  Lieutenants — J.  H.  Heaney,  P.  J.  O'Con- 


COL.  JAMES  QUIRK. 

nor,  Thomas  Meaney,  William  Marsh,  John  Lani- 
gan. 

Second  Lieutenants — D.FoleyJohn  McCaffery, 
William  Whalen,  J.  E.  Bourke. 

In  1876  the  Illinois  National  Guard  Act  came 
into  force,  and  the  Second  Regiment  was  increased 
to  eight  companies,  Major  Quirk  becoming 


GEN.  HARRIS   A.  WHEELER. 
13 


H  HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

Lieutenant-Colonel.  This  year  the  Legislature 
also  provided  for  the  arming  of  the  enlisted  men 
and  the  provision  of  armories  and  encampments. 

July,  in  the  following  year,  saw  the  Second  receive 
its  "Baptism  of  Fire."  It  was  called  out  to  aid  in 
repressing  the  "Railroad  Riots,"  when  their  dash 
and  coolness  in  dispersing  the  armed  and  desperate 
crowds  which  terrorized  the  city,  fully  established 
its  reputation  as  an  efficient  and  valuable  organiza 
tion. 

About  this  time,  from  various  causes  which  need 
not  here  be  named,  the  membership  roll  became 
so  depleted  that  it  became  necessary  to  consoli 
date  with  it  the  Sixth  Battalion,  consisting  of  four 
companies.  Colonel  W.  H.  Thompson  succeeded 
to  the  combined  command. 

From  this  time  to  1884  few  events  of  note 
occurred.  In  July  of  that  year  Colonel  Thompson 
was  succeeded  in  the  command  by  Colonel  Harris 
A.  Wheeler.  Two  companies  were  then  disbanded, 
leaving  seven  companies  still  in  service. 

The  regiment  then  moved  into  new  quarters  at 
its  present  Armory,  at  Washington  Boulevard  and 
Curtis  Street.  The  infusion  of  new  blood  and  the 
improvement  in  the  housing  soon  bore  manifest 
fruit  in  the  marked  improvement  in  the  general 
efficiency  of  the  regiment. 

In  1886  the  "Stock  Yards  Riots"  afforded  the 
Second  another  opportunity  to  prove  its  mettle, 
and  the  manner  in  which  the  difficult  and  hazard 
ous  duties  intrusted  to  it  were  performed,  drew 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY 


'5 


forth  the  well-deserved  commendation  of  General 
Fitzsimons,  under  whose  command  the  First  and 
Second  Regiments  were  brigaded. 

On     Colonel     Wheeler's    resignation    in     1889, 


F.  ZIEGFELD. 

Colonel  Florence  Ziegfeld  took  up  the  reins  of 
command,  but  after  a  brief  tenure  of  office  he 
resigned  them  into  the  hands  of  Colonel  Louis  S. 
Judd. 

The  year  1893  brought  another  period  of  active 
service  to  the  regiment.  In  that  year  occurred  the 
"Lemont  Strike,"  and  at  the  call  of  Governor  Alt- 


i6 


HISTORY   OF   THE   SECOND    REGIMENT 


geld  the  Second  was  hurried  through  the  inclement 
weather  to  the  scene  of  strife.  The  moral  effect 
of  the  presence  of  the  military  force  proved  suffi 
cient  to  calm  the  more  turbulent  spirits  among  the 


COL.  LOUIS  S.  JUDD. 

strikers,  and  the  necessity  for  a  resort  to  force  was 
happily  avoided. 

On  January  29,  1894,  Colonel  Judd  was  suc 
ceeded  in  the  command  by  Colonel  George  M. 
Moulton,  who  had  previously  filled  the  appoint 
ment  of  Inspector  of  Small  Arms  Practice  of  the 
First  Brigade. 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER   INFANTRY  17 

Once  more,  on  July  6,  1894,  the  regiment  was 
called  into  active  service  for  the  protection  of  the 
lives  and  property  of  the  citizens  of  Chicago. 
When  it  became  evident  that  the  strike  of  the 


L1EUT.-COL.  W.  D.  HOTCHKISS. 

employes  of  the  Pullman  Palace  Car  Company  was 
destined  to  failure,  the  aid  of  the  all-powerful 
American  Railway  Union  was  invoked,  with  the 
result  that  in  a  short  space  of  time  the  entire  rail 
road  system  was  tied  up,  a  reign  of  terror  had  been 
established,  and  the  utmost  efforts  of  the  civil 
authorities  to  establish  order  were  fruitless.  On 


iS 


HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 


July  8th  the  proclamation  of  President  Cleveland, 
with  its  impressive  warning  to  the  rioters,  was 
issued,  but  fell  practically  unheeded.  When  the 
Governor's  orders  for  the  mobilization  of  the  regi 
ment  were  received  the  call  of  the  commanding 
officer  was  responded  to  \vith  the  greatest  prompti 
tude,  considerations  of  distance  and  personal  incon 
venience  or  sacrifice  being  utterly  disregarded,  the 
call  of  duty  alone  being  held  paramount. 

The  regiment  rapidly  assembled  at  its  Armory 
and  on  receiving  definite  orders,  proceeded  by 
train  to  Hyde  Park  and  reported  for  further  orders 
to  Inspector  of  Police  Nicholas  Hunt.  By  his 
directions  the  First  Battalion,  under  command  of 
Lieutenant-Colonel  William  D.  Hotchkiss,  pro 
ceeded  to  Englewood  and  reported  to  Police  Cap 
tain  Aldrich  at  that  station,  while  Colonel  Moulton, 
with  the  remainder  of  the  regiment,  was  directed 
to  report  to  Captain  O'Neill  at  the  Police  Station 
of  the  Nineteenth  Precinct.  It  being  found  im 
practicable  to  move  the  troops  by  train  to  Halsted 
Street  on  account  of  the  blocking  of  the  tracks  by 
the  rioters,  the  command  loaded  their  impedimenta 
on  wagons,  and,  forming  column  of  route,  marched 
to  Halsted  and  Forty-eighth  Streets.  Two  com 
panies  were  assigned  to  duty  at  the  Stock  Yards, 
and  the  remainder  went  into  bivouac  for  the  night. 

On  the  following  day  the  command  took  posses 
sion  of  a  ball  park  conveniently  situated  for  a  camp 
ing  ground,  where  they  were  shortly  after  joined 
by  Battery  D  and  Troop  A  of  the  artillery  and 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  19 

cavalry  of  the  Illinois  National  Guard,  the  whole 
being  established  as  a  military  post,  under  the 
designation  of  "Camp  Wheeler,"  in  honor  of  the 
previous  commanding  officer  of  the  Second.  A 
number  of  stations  were  designated  to  which,  from 
time  to  time,  companies  or  smaller  bodies  were 
detached.  At  these  stations  the  troops  were  con 
stantly  on  duty  in  periodical  reliefs,  which  were 
more  or  less  regular,  as  occasion  permitted,  or 
necessity  demanded. 

Company  C,  under  Captain  Thomas  I.  Mair, 
especially  distinguished  itself  in  an  encounter  with 
a  furious  mob  at  the  Grand  Trunk  Railway  Forty- 
ninth  Street  tracks,  between  Loomis  Street  and 
Ashland  Avenue,  when  the  conduct  of  Company 
C  in  protecting  a  train  at  the  imminent  danger  of 
their  lives,  was  particularly  praiseworthy.  In  fact 
it  is  difficult  to  determine  which  merited  the 
greater  approbation,  the  steadiness,  coolness  and 
self-possession  of  the  Guardsmen  while  the  com 
mands  of  their  Captain  held  them  in  check,  or  the 
dash  and  resolution  with  which  they  took  the  offen 
sive  when  their  commander  decided  that  bloodshed 
could  no  longer  be  avoided. 

As  soon  as  it  could  be  effected,  Company  C  was 
reinforced  by  other  portions  of  the  command,  but 
so  well  had  Captain  Mair's  men  done  their  work 
that  the  reinforcements  found  little  to  do  on  their 
arrival.  One  officer  and  four  men  somewhat 
severely  wounded,  and  a  considerable  number 
slightly  so,  proved  that  the  conflict  had  been  no 
child's  play. 


HISTORY    OF   THE   SECOND    REGIMENT 

Another  exciting  experience  was  that  of  a 
detachment  of  Company  A,  under  Captain  Sam 
uels,  and  Company  F,  under  Captain  Kelly.  The 
detachment  was  sent  to  reinforce  Company  F, 
which  had  been  attacked  by  a  mob  in  considerable 
force  at  Forty-ninth  Street  tracks  and  Ashland 
Avenue.  The  combined  forces  were  compelled  to 
repeatedly  charge  the  mob  at  the  point  of  the  bay 
onet,  but  it  was  fortunately  found  unnecessary  to 
open  fire.  The  energy  and  determination  dis 
played  by  the  officers  and  men  of  the  Second  Regi 
ment  at  this  critical  juncture  undoubtedly  con 
tributed  largely  to  impress  upon  the  rioters  the 
fact  that  the  community  would  and  could  be  pro 
tected  against  their  lawless  attempts  to  overthrow 
the  safeguards  thrown  around  it  by  the  strong  arm 
of  law  and  justice.  After  this  display  of  force  the 
rioters  ventured  no  pitched  or  open  encounter 
with  the  men  whose  bravery  and  determination 
they  had  experienced,  but  under  cover  of  darkness 
many  were  the  savage  attacks  with  stones  and 
other  missiles  upon  individual  sentinels.  The  use 
of  dynamite  was  openly  proposed  among  the  riot 
ers,  and  intelligence  of  this  reaching  the  alert  ear 
of  the  commanding  officer,  an  outpost  picket  line 
around  the  camp  was  established  and  maintained 
until  the  end  of  the  strike,  while  the  district  was 
constantly  patrolled  by  parties,  both  mounted  and 
on  foot,  the  cavalry  rendering  useful  service  in  this 
regard. 

On  the  evening  of  July  loth,  at  a  meeting  of  the 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  21 

police  and  railway  authorities,  at  which  Colonel 
Moulton  was  present,  a  determination  was  arrived 
at  to  resume  traffic  operations,  which  had  been 
totally  suspended,  on  the  following  morning.  Two 
companies,  under  the  command  of  Major  Dusen- 
berry,  with  the  cavalry  troop,  were  accordingly 
ordered  to  the  stock  yards.  The  first  train  moved 
out,  manned  by  Company  G,  of  the  Second,  under 
Captain  Willis  McFeely,  with  explicit  orders  to  fire 
on  any  persons  who  should  attempt  in  any  way  to 
obstruct  its  progress;  and  further,  that  the  throw 
ing  of  any  missile  at  a  soldier  should  be  considered 
sufficient  justification  for  shooting,  and  shooting 
to  kill.  Troop  A  was  deployed  at  the  several  street 
crossings  along  the  track  from  Halsted  Street  east 
to  Wentworth  Avenue.  The  precautions  taken 
were  sufficient,  and  the  train  reached  its  destina 
tion  without  serious  opposition.  Captain  Vander- 
kloot,  with  Company  E,  soon  followed,  in  charge 
of  a  two-section  train,  which  also  performed  its 
journey  safely.  Another  train,  however,  which  was 
attempted  to  be  run  without  military  protection, 
was  disconnected  by  the  crowd. 

The  Bicycle  and  Signal  Corps  of  the  regiment 
abundantly  proved  their  usefulness,  forming  a  rapid 
and  efficient  means  of  communication  between  the 
widely  separated  bodies  of  the  command. 

It  may  be  said  that  this  was  the  first  occasion 
on  which  the  regiment  had  really  received  from  the 
public  the  meed  of  praise  that  was  its  due.  This 
time,  however,  the  value  of  its  services  had  been  so 


HISTORY    OF   THE   SECOND    REGIMENT 

patent,  and  so  plainly  seen,  that  the  approbation 
it  so  well  deserved  could  hardly  be  withheld,  and  it 
will  be  long  before  Chicago  forgets  what  it  owes  to 
its  citizen  soldiers. 

For  nearly  four  years  after  its  experience  of 
active  service  in  the  stock  yards  district  the  Second 
led  an  almost  uneventful  existence,  the  social  side 
of  the  organization  being  most  in  evidence,  the 
only  events  worthy  of  note  being  its  presence,  in 
1896,  at  the  inauguration  of  Governor  John  R. 
Tanner.  During  the  annual  encampment  of  that 
year  General  Merritt,  commanding  the  Depart 
ment  of  the  Lakes,  was  the  guest  of  General 
Wheeler,  the  Brigadier. 

But  exciting  times  were  coming,  for  which  the 
drill  and  discipline  which  had  been  steadily  kept 
up  during  this  uneventful  period,  had  been  prepar 
ing  the  command,  although  probably  none  of  the 
boys  even  dreamed  that  the  careful  training  he  was 
receiving  would  ever  be  put  to  any  severe  practical 
test.  But  the  lull  precedes  the  storm,  and  when, 
on  February  15,  1898,  the  intelligence  of  the 
treacherous  destruction  of  the  United  States  Bat 
tleship  "Maine,"  at  her  anchorage  in  Havana  har 
bor,  was  flashed  to  this  country,  public  indignation 
leaped  to  the  boiling  point.  American  patriotism 
demanded  satisfaction  for  the  outrage  to  the  flag, 
and  vengeance  for  the  cowardly  murder  of  its  gal 
lant  seamen.  Still,  obedient  to  its  National  prin 
ciples  of  right  and  justice,  America  waited,  though 
with  a  growing  impatience  as  the  time  went  on, 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  23 

until  the  guilt  of  Spain  should  be  established 
beyond  peradventure.  The  calm  was  ominous,  and 
when  at  length  the  result  of  the  protracted  inquiry 
was  given  to  the  world,  the  wrath  of  a  great  Nation 
flamed  forth.  Eagerly  the  President's  message 
calling  the  country  to  arms,  was  awaited,  and  when 
it  came,  on  April  25,  1898,  the  brain  and  bone,  the 
muscle  and  sinew  of  the  land,  flew  to  answer  it. 
East,  West,  North,  and  South  sent  their  sons  to  fill 
the  ranks  to  march  against  the  foreign  foe. 

Foremost  in  responding  to  the  summons  were 
the  men  from  the  Empire  City  of  the  West.  At 
the  tocsin's  sound  Chicago's  sons  poured  from 
factories  and  workshops,  from  offices  and  stores, 
burning  to  emulate  the  brave  deeds  of  their  fathers, 
and  ready  to  do  and  die  for  their  country's  cause 
and  honor. 

Where  were  now  the  pessimists  who'  had  been 
preaching  that  Americans  had  fallen  from  the  high 
standard  of  patriotism  set  up  by  their  forefathers, 
and  that  the  Nation  had  become  enervated  and 
its  higher  instincts  deadened  by  selfish  interests 
and  worldly  cares?  Instead  of  such  proving  to  be 
the  case,  the  old  warriors  of  the  Civil  War  were 
constrained  to  acknowledge  that  their  experience 
could  recall  no>  examples  of  loftier  enthusiasm, 
more  vigorous  manhood,  more  complete  forgetful- 
ness  of  self  than  were  shown  by  the  boys  of  '98. 

Conspicuous  among  those  regiments,  whose 
promptness  in  rallying  to  the  flag  excited  the  ad 
miration  of  the  world,  stood  the  Second  Regiment 


24  HISTORY    OF   THE   SECOND    REGIMENT 

of  the  Illinois  National  Guard,  whose  members  now 
reported  themselves  at  the  regimental  Armory  with 
the  steady  demeanor  of  the  veteran.  No  picnic 
this,  the  boys  well  knew,  stern  duty  was  what  was 
expected,  and  the  Second  stood  ready  to  perform 
it,  come  what  might. 

April  26,  1898,  will  long  be  remembered  by  West 
Siders  in  Chicago.  The  order  for  the  mobilization 
and  rendezvous  at  Springfield  of  the  National 
Guard  had  been  received  from  the  Governor  of  Illi 
nois,  and  the  Second  was  to  take  the  train  that  even 
ing.  All  the  afternoon  crowds  had  been  gathering 
in  the  vicinity  of  the  Regimental  Armory  until,  as 
the  hour  for  departure  approached,  belated  mem 
bers  of  the  Guard  found  it  a  difficult  task  to  strug 
gle  through  the  concourse  of  people  to  the  place 
of  assembly.  As  far  as  the  eye  could  reach  along 
Washington  Boulevard,  and  on  the  streets  cross 
ing  it,  could  be  seen  an  apparently  interminable 
sea  of  faces,  many  of  them  straining  to  catch  the 
last  glimpse  of  dear  ones  they  feared  never  to  see 
again.  At  last  the  time  arrived,  and  amid  deafen 
ing  cheers,  which  drowned  the  strains  of  the  band, 
the  Second,  with  colors  flying,  slowly  forced  their 
way  through  the  masses  of  people  to  the  depot. 
No  description  could  possibly  do  justice  to  the 
scene  there  as  the  boys  were  gradually  got  on 
board  the  trains  which  were  to  bear  them  away, 
and  at  length  the  first  section  pulled  out  for  the 
State  rendezvous  at  Springfield. 


CHAPTER  II 

SPRINGFIELD 

Springfield  was  reached  at  7  a.  m.,  on  April  27, 
1898,  after  an  all-night  ride  on  a  Chicago  and  Alton 
special  train,  and  the  regiment  marched  into  the 
State  Fair  Grounds,  where  the  troops  were  ordered 
to  rendezvous.  After  several  hours'  waiting,  the 


DOME  BUILDING,  SPRINGFIELD,  ILL. 

25 


26  HISTORY    OF   THE   SECOND    REGIMENT 

Second  Illinois  received  instructions  to  take  up 
their  quarters  in  the  Dome  Building,  and  marched 
in,  some  of  the  companies  being  stationed  on  the 
main  floor,  and  others  upstairs  in  the  galleries. 

Next  day  the  troops  settled  down  to  work. 
Squad  drill  was  the  order  of  the  day.  There  were 
1,580  men  in  the  regiment,  about  700  of  them 
being  fresh  enlistments,  and  consequently  no  time 
was  to  be  lost  in  getting  them  into  shape.  The 
rainy  weather  which  rendered  so  uncomfortable 
our  stay  in  the  Fair  Grounds  began  to  show  itself ; 
and  the  amateur  cooks  commenced  to  find  out  the 
difficulties  which  beset  a  military  chef  in  wet 
weather  in  camp. 

On  the  29th,  the  soldiers  were  aroused  by  the 
news  of  the  silencing  of  the  Matanzas  batteries  by 
Sampson's  fleet,  but  the  excitement  then  was  insig 
nificant  compared  with  the  burst  of  passionate  en 
thusiasm  which  greeted  the  intelligence,  received 
May  2d,  of  the  destruction  of  the  Spanish  fleet  by 
Dewey.  The  Dome  and  other  buildings  occupied 
by  the  troops  were  shaken  to  their  foundations  by 
tremendous  outbursts  of  cheering,  and  the  spec 
tacle  was  one  never  to  be  forgotten. 

Drill  went  on  daily,  and  strict  discipline  was 
enforced  so  far  as  it  was  possible  to  do  so.  No 
enlisted  men  were  allowed  out  of  camp,  though  of 
course,  where  so  many  of  the  volunteers  still  wore 
their  citizens'  garb,  it  was  quite  impracticable  to 
prevent  many  of  them  from  leaving  bounds  with 
out  permission. 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER   INFANTRY 


27 


Sundays  in  Springfield  were  gala  days.  The 
railway  companies  ran  cheap  excursions  from  Chi 
cago  and  other  points  within  the  State,  and  throngs 
of  passengers  rewarded  their  enterprise.  The  Fair 
Grounds,  on  these  occasions,  were  crowded  with 
visitors,  friends  or  relatives  of  the  soldiers,  anxious 


COMPANY   IN    DOME    BUILDING. 

to  see  the  last  of  their  boys.  The  wretched  weather, 
however,  probably  kept  a,way  many  visitors  who 
would  otherwise  have  been  desirous  of  seeing  this 
great  gathering  of  the  Illinois  forces. 

The  weather  was  damp  and  cold  all  the  time, 


28  HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

with  the  exception  of  an  occasional — very  occa 
sional — spell  of  sunny  weather.  The  soil  of  the 
Fair  Ground  was  a  thick,  greasy,  non-absorbent 
clay,  and  the  discomfort  was  considerable,  aggra 
vated  as  it  was  by  deficiencies  in  bedding,  clothing, 
and  rations.  However,  in  the  excited  and  enthu 
siastic  state  of  mind  prevalent,  these  things  were 
but  trifles. 

On  May  4th  the  important  work  of  mustering 
into  the  United  States  service  commenced.  An 
Inspection  Depot  was  established  at  the  Capitol 
Building,  whither  the  regiments  were  marched  in 
turn  to  be  examined  by  the  surgeons.  It  had  been 
supposed  that  the  test  would  not  be  a  severe  one, 
but  such  expectations  were  doomed  to  disappoint 
ment.  Many  men  who  had  never  dreamed  of 
rejection,  found  themselves  peremptorily  "turned 
down ;"  while  others,  who  had  anticipated  trouble, 
passed  on  and  were  mustered  by  Captain  Eben 
Swift,  of  the  Fifth  United  States,  the  mustering 
officer. 

On  May  I2th  and  I3th  the  regiment  "passed  the 
doctor,"  Col.  Senn,  Captain  Birmingham,  U.  S. 
A.,  and  others  being  the  examining  officers.  There 
were  a  good  many  rejections,  but  as  unsuitable 
men  had  been  considerably  weeded  out  at  regi 
mental  inspections,  fewer  men  had  now  to  be 
dropped  than  was  the  case  in  most  of  the  other 
organizations.  On  Saturday,  May  I4th,  the  men 
rejected  wrere  sent  home,  their  faces  showing  how 
bitter  the  disappointment  was. 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  29 

May  1 5th  the  final  ceremony  of  mustering 
into  the  United  States  service  was  completed. 
It  was  a  most  impressive  ceremony,  com 
pany  after  company  falling  in,  answering  to  the 
roll  call,  and  finally,  with  bared  heads  and  upraised 
right  hands,  taking  the  oath  which  changed  them 
from  National  Guards  into  United  States  soldiers, 
the  ceremony  being  closed  in  each  case  with  hearty 
cheering. 

Now  came  vaccination,  which  all  and  every 
newly  enlisted  man,  nolens  volens,  was  compelled 
to  submit  to,  and  which  sowed  the  seed  for  a  plen 
tiful  crop  of  sore  arms  a  little  later  on. 

On  May  ifth  the  First  Illinois  left  for  Tampa, 
Florida,,  and  the  Second  received  orders  to  be  held 
in  readiness  to  proceed  to  the  same  place  for  em 
barkation  for  Cuba, 

From  that  time  forward  the  business  of  prepar 
ing  for  departure  to  the  front  occupied  the  ener 
gies  of  everyone.  Quartermaster's  supplies,  rifles, 
ammunition,  and  the  thousand  and  one  things  had 
to  be  obtained,  until  on  the  2Oth  all  was  ready,  and 
the  three-section  train,  bearing  the  regiment,  rolled 
out  of  Springfield,  south  bound. 

To  most  of  the  men  the  journey  they  were  mak 
ing  was  a  novel  and  interesting  one.  Ohio,  Ken 
tucky,  Tennessee,  Mississippi,  Alabama,  were 
passed  through,  presenting  scenes  quite  unfamiliar 
to  the  boys  from  the  North,  and  at  every  town  and 
city  the  regiment  received  an  enthusiastic  recep 
tion,  which  culminated  in  a  perfect  ovation  at 


30  HISTORY    OF   THE   SECOND    REGIMENT 

Albany,  Georgia,  a  place  that  will  always  hold  a 
place  of  honor  in  the  memories  of  the  boys  of  the 
Second. 

At  Waycross,  Georgia,  the  thunderbolt  fell. 
Orders  were  there  received  to  divert  the  regiment 
from  its  original  destination  and  send  it  forward  to 
Jacksonville,  Fla.  Telegraphic  inquiries  brought 
confirmation  from  Washington,  and  nothing  was 
to  be  done  but  to  accept  the  inevitable,  but  a  pre 
sentiment  seemed  to  warn  the  men  that  this  order 
was  to  be  a  death-blow  to  their  cherished  hopes  of 
active  service  against  the  common  enemy. 

At  9:30  p.  m.,  we  arrived  at  Jacksonville,  stay 
ing  in  the  cars  all  night,  and  at  6  a.  m.,  the  regiment 
left  the  train  and  marched  to  the  camping  ground. 

No  tents  were  at  first  provided,  and  shelters  were 
speedily  improvised  with  blankets,  etc.,  and  in  a 
short  time  the  thick  underbrush  was  cleared  away 
and  the  camp,  or  rather  bivouac,  began  to  assume 
an  inhabitated  appearance.  Soon  more  woolen 
blankets  were  issued,  and  a  few  rubber  ones,  then 
shelter-tents  were  distributed,  and  the  Second  set 
tled  down  for  what  was  destined  to  be  a  long  stay 
in  Jacksonville. 


CHAPTER  III 

JACKSONVILLE. 

The  Second  Illinois  enjoys  the  distinction  of  hav 
ing  been  the  first  regiment  of  the  Seventh  Army 
Corps  into  camp  at  Jacksonville.  It  was  brigaded 
with  the  First  North  Carolina  and  Second  New 
Jersey,  under  the  command  of  Brigadier-General 
Andrew  S.  Burt,  the  three  regiments  composing 
the  First  Brigade,  Second  Division,  Seventh  Army 
Corps. 

The  camp  site  assigned  to  the  regiment  appeared 
at  first  glance  a  desirable  onej  but  as  subsequent 
events  proved,  a  worse  choice  could  hardly  have 
been  made.  The  frequent  rains  converted  the  low- 
lying  flat  ground,  full  of  decayed  roots  and  other 
vegetable  matter,  into  a  veritable  swamp,  reeking 
with  vapor,  which  the  fierce  rays  of  the  Florida 
sun  caused  to  exhale,  laden  with  deadly  malaria, 
resulting  in  the  outbreak  of  sickness  which  nearly 
decimated  the  Seventh  Army  Corps. 

On  the  2d  of  June  the  regimental  chaplain,  the 
Reverend  Frank  DeWitt  Talmage,  resigned  his 
position  on  account  of  ill-health,  and  the  appoint 
ment  was  tendered  to  the  Reverend  Horace  W. 
Bolton,  D.D.,  who  had  previously  served  for  five 
years  in  the  regiment  as  Chaplain. 

32 


MAJ.-GEN.   FITZHUGH   LEE. 


33 


34  HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

Dr.  Bolton,  who  was  stationed  in  West  Superior, 
Wisconsin,  accepted  the  call,  and  left  his  home  at 
once  for  Springfield,  Illinois.  In  this  hour  of 
alarm  all  the  ministry,  everywhere,  seemed  anxious 
to  do  all  in  their  power  to  serve  their  country. 
Reaching  Springfield  after  a  long  railway  journey 
which  was  commenced  in  overcoat  and  blankets 
and  terminated  in  shirtsleeves,  so  great  was  the 
difference  in  temperature,  Dr.  Bolton  was,  by 
direction  of  Secretary  Alger  mustered  in  by  Lieut. 
Ballon  and  set  out  to  join  his  old  regiment  at  Jack 
sonville. 

Camp  Cuba  Libre,  as  the  camp  had  been  aptly 
named  by  General  Fitzhugh  Lee,  the  corps  com 
mander,  was  at  that  time  a  charming  sight.  Tall 
palms  shaded  the  camp  in  all  directions,  and  water 
had  been  brought  in  pipes  from  the  fine  city  water 
works,  and  could  be  had  in  abundance.  Bath 
houses  had  been  erected,  and  an  ice  water  tank  was 
in  every  regiment.  The  water  was  slightly  tinc 
tured  with  sulphur,  but  was  bright  and  wholesome. 
At  first  there  was  little  sickness  in  camp.  Wooden 
shacks  had  been  erected  all  around  the  camp,  where 
various  eatables  and  drinkables  were  dispensed  to 
the  troops,  to  the  great  profit  of  the  owners  of  the 
stands,  but  whose  value  to  the  soldiers  was  hardly 
so  evident.  Too  little  supervision  was  exercised 
over  these  people,  and  the  quality  of  the  supplies 
furnished  by  them  left  much  to  be  desired,  and 
probably  would  account  for  some  degree  of  the 
subsequent  sickness.  Inferior  or  unripe  water- 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  35 

melons  and  other  fruits,  doubtful  ice-cream,  and 
ill-made  pies  and  cakes  formed  an  addition  to  the 
soldiers'  rations  which  might  well  have  been  dis 
pensed  with,  yet  many  of  the  younger  men  con 
sumed  considerable  quantities  of  all  these  things, 
washing  them  down  with  copious  libations  of  indif 
ferent  lemonade,  to  the  great  derangement  of  their 
internal  economy. 

The  city  of  Jacksonville  presented  a  lively 
appearance  at  this  time.  The  handsome  streets 
were  thronged  by  officers  and  soldiers  of  all  ranks, 
major-generals,  colonels,  non-commissioned  offi 
cers  and  privates  mingling  in  the  brilliant  crowd. 
A  noticeable  result  of  this  military  occupation  of 
the  place  was  its  effect  upon  the  prevailing  mode 
of  dress  of  both  the  male  and  female  population,  the 
men  assuming  campaign  hats  and  leggings,  while 
the  ladies  favored  a  jaunty  adaptation  of  the  same 
hat,  and  sported  regimental  badges  and  brooches. 
Military  buttons  were  also  in  great  demand,  in  fact, 
during  the  time  the  regiment  was  in  the  South,  had 
the  boys  acceded  to  all  the  requests  which  were 
made  to  them  for  these  necessary  articles,  safety- 
pins  would  have  been  at  a  premium. 

The  sojourn  at  Jacksonville  was  no  holiday  time 
to  the  soldiers,  and  none  were  given  less  leisure 
than  the  boys  of  the  Second.  Fully  expecting  that 
the  command  would  shortly  find  itself  before  an 
enemy  in  the  field,  the  officers,  from  the  command 
ing  general  down,  spared  no  efforts  to  render  their 
commands  as  efficient  and  complete  in  all  respects, 


3  HISTORY    OF    THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

and  as  conversant  with  their  duties,  as  the  limited 
time  of  preparation  admitted  of,  while  the  soldiers 
responded  with  enthusiasm  and  intelligence  to  the 
instruction  they  received.  Every  day  showed  an 
advance  on  the  previous  one;  battle  formations 
were  constantly  practiced,  and  a  high  degree  of 
proficiency  was  attained  in  a  surprisingly  short 
space  of  time. 

Sundays  alone  brought  a  brief  space  of  leisure. 
In  the  afternoon  the  regiment  would  fall  in,  on  the 
sounding  of  the  beautiful  and  solemn  "Church 
Call,"  and  march  to  the  large  tent  erected  by  the 
Young  Men's  Christian  Association,  where  the 
earnestness  and  fervor  with  which  the  soldiers  of 
the  Second  joined  in  the  services  showed  their 
value  also  as  "Soldiers  of  the  Cross," 

Nothing  could  exceed  the  enthusiasm  of  the 
men  for  their  idolized  General,  Fitzhugh  Lee. 
Whenever  the  General  passed  through  the  camp, 
the  men  crowded  to  see  and  cheer  him.  Among 
the  people  of  the  South,  of  course,  the  name  of  Lee 
was  one  to  conjure  with.  The  General  told  the 
writer  a  good  anecdote  of  the  unpleasantness  of 
bearing  a  name  made  historic  by  someone  else. 
When  Robert  E.  Lee  surrendered  at  Appomat- 
tox,  Fitzhugh  started  for  home,  and  on  the  way 
people  rushed  to  meet  him  and  beg  the  latest  news. 
"What  are  you  going  this  way  for?"  demanded  a 
dozen  men.  "Oh,  it's  all  up,  Lee  has  surrendered." 
"Not  Robert,"  they  cried,  "Never.  Maybe  that 
bull-headed  Fitzhugh,  but  not  Robert.  No,  sir!" 


37 


3  HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

A  time  was  coming  when  the  boys  would  need 
all  the  elasticity  of  spirits  and  all  the  enthusiasm 
they  could  muster,  to  sustain  them.  The  rains 
descended  and  the  floods  came,  and  it  rained  till 
it  seemed  impossible  for  more  rain  to  fall,  and  then 
it  rained  still  more  heavily.  The  men's  tents,  their 
clothing,  and  all  their  belongings,  were  saturated 
all  the  time.  Cooking  was  almost  out  of  the  ques 
tion,  and  for  days  and  days  at  a  stretch  the  boys 
would  be  wet  to  the  skin,  having  no  change  of  gar 
ments,  and  sleeping  in  their  leaky  tents  in  the 
sodden  clothing  they  had  worn  all  day.  The  camp 
ing  ground  being  low,  level  and  sandy,  absorbed 
enormous  quantities  of  water,  which,  however,  did 
not  drain  off,  but  collected  below  the  surface.  At 
length  there  came  a  time  when  the  sodden  soil 
could  receive  no  more,  and  the  surplus  lay  about, 
forming  miniature  lakes  everywhere,  some  parts  of 
the  camp  being  quite  under  water.  These  causes 
soon  made  the  sick  rate  go  up  with  alarming  ra 
pidity.  Malarial  fever  made  its  appearance,  soon 
to  be  followed  by  its  deadly  relative,  typhoid.  Yet, 
strange  as  it  may  appear,  the  soldiers  "to  the  manor 
born"  proved  less  able  to  withstand  the  effects  of 
the  climate  than  their  brothers  from  the  North,  for 
the  boys  from  Minnesota,  Illinois,  Wisconsin  and 
Dakota  suffered  less  than  the  soldiers  from  Vir 
ginia,  the  Carolinas,  Florida,  and  Mississippi.  This 
puzzled  the  surgeons,  but  was  an  undoubted  fact, 
which  might  probably  be  attributed  to  the  supe 
rior  physique  of  the  Northerners. 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER   INFANTRY  39 

Disappointment  at  being  held  back  from  service 
at  the  front,  whither  the  desires  of  all  the  officers 
and  men  tended,  no  doubt  had  its  share  in  render 
ing  the  men's  constitutions  receptive  to  the  mala 
rial  poison.  It  is  a  well  known  and  indisputable 
fact  that  it  is  not  during  an  active  campaign,  where 


REGIMENTAL  HOSPITAL,  JACKSONVILLE,  FLA. 

excitement  succeeds  excitement,  that  soldiers 
become  sick — they  have  then  no  time  to  do  so — 
but  it  is  during  the  weary  months  of  waiting  in 
camp  either  before  or  after  a  war,  that  disease  does 
its  work.  Men  lose  ambition  with  no  object  in 


4°  HISTORY    OF   THE   SECOND    REGIMENT 

sight.  An  order  to  prepare  for  Cuba  without  delay 
would  have  prevented  much  of  the  sickness  which 
took  place  at  this  time,  when  the  excessive  heat  and 
the  rain  compelled  a  considerable  cessation  of  the 
daily  drills,  and  consequently  gave  the  soldiers 
more  leisure  and  opportunity  for  moping  and 
becoming  homesick.  Rumors  of  an  early  depar 
ture  were  rife,  and  sometimes  one  a  little  better 
authenticated  than  usual  would  arouse  temporary 
enthusiasm,  only  to  be  followed  by  the  inevitable 
reaction  when  time  proved  the  absence  of  founda 
tion  for  the  report. 

Nothing  could  exceed  the  popularity  with  all 
ranks  of  Brigadier-General  Andrew  S.  Burt,  whose 
presence  was  everywhere,  and  who  mingled  the 
authority  of  the  general  officer  with  the  bonhomie 
of  the  old  soldier  in  such  a  manner  as  to  endear 
him  to  everyone.  Numerous  stories  are  told,  both 
of  and  on  the  gallant  General.  One  goes  that  one 
evening,  hearing  a  great  deal  of  shouting  all 
through  the  brigade,  General  Burt  walked  from 
his  tent  over  to  the  Second  Illinois  guard  line  and 
asked  a  sentinel  the  occasion  of  the  cheering. 
When  he  was  told  that  it  was  on  account  of  the 
New  Jersey  having  meat  for  supper,  the  General 
ordered  the  man  to  report  at  his  tent  when  relieved 
from  guard,  and  when  seen  coming  from  thence 
the  soldier  had  a  cheerful  face  and  was  smoking  a 
good  cigar. 

Toward  the  end  of  August  the  fevers  increased 
to  an  alarming  extent.  The  medical  staff  seemed 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER   INFANTRY 


41 


AMBULANCE. 

baffled.  The  Division  Hospitals  were  crowded, 
and  the  sick  reports  were  filled  every  morning. 
The  frequent  deaths  cast  a  gloomy  feeling  over  the 
whole  command,  and  the  arrival  at  a  company  of 
a  mounted  orderly  from  the  hospital  came  to  be 
well  known  as  the  announcement  of  another  com 
rade  gone.  Many  of  our  best  men  succumbed  dur 
ing  this  and  the  succeeding  month. 

The  press,  North  and  South,  added  to  the  dismay 
by  exaggerated  and  alarming  reports,  and  parents 
and  friends  at  home  were  terrified  beyond  measure. 


CHAPTER  IV 

RIFLE   RANGE 

At  length  it  was  decided,  as  a  sanitary  measure, 
to  abandon  the  camp,  and  another  site,  two  miles 
to  the  north,  was  selected,  whither,  after  breaking 
camp,  the  troops  proceeded.  Here  the  ground  was 
much  higher,  and  the  change  bore  rapid  fruit  in 
the  improvement  in  the  health  of  the  soldiers. 


RIFLE  RANGE. 

42 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  43 

No  car  line  ran  to  this  camp,  and  the  roads  lead 
ing  to  the  city  were  soon  badly  cut  up  by  the 
unwonted  traffic  of  heavy  arnfy  wagons.  Hacks, 
carts,  and  busses  of  all  kinds  were  quickly  in  evi 
dence  to  earn  money  by  transporting  officers  and 
soldiers  to  and  from  Jacksonville,  and  the  inevita 
ble  wooden  shacks  and  shooting  galleries  sprang 
up  like  mushrooms. 

Close  by  the  Second  Illinois  camp  was  the  Rifle 
Range,  which  had  been  laid  out  by  military  labor, 
and  was  excellently  contrived.  Every  day  firing 
was  going  on,  each  regiment  in  camp  having  rifle 
practice  about  every  ten  clays.  These  practice 
days  were  red-letter  ones,  and  were  eagerly  looked 
forward  to  by  the  boys,  wrho  made  very  creditable 
averages,  excellent  scores  being  compiled  in  many 
cases.  The  field  officers  of  the  regiment,  Lieuten 
ant-Colonel  Hotchkiss  and  Majors  Dusenberry  and 
Purinton,  by  turns  superintended  these  practices, 
and  it  speaks  well  for  the  watchfulness  and  care 
of  these  officers,  as  well  as  for  the  company  com 
manders,  that  in  spite  of  the  inexperience  and  un- 
familiarity  with  the  handling  of  firearms  of  the 
majority  of  the  men,  no  accidents  ever  occurred  on 
the  Rifle  Range. 

Great  efforts  were  made  by  Chicago  friends  of 
many  of  the  men  to  obtain  the  "muster  out"  of  the 
Second  Illinois,  but  to  the  credit  of  the  men  it  may 
be  said  here  that  these  attempts  \vere  not  as  a  rule 
prompted  by  the  men  themselves,  who  held  them 
selves  ready  for  any  service  the  country  might 


44 


HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 


demand  of  them.  Volunteer  regiments  by  the 
dozen  were  being  disbanded,  and  it  was  felt  that 
the  war  was  practically  at  an  end.  Yet  the  pre 
vailing  wish  in  the  Second  was  that  they  should  at 
least  see,  and  do  some  service  for  the  land  they  had 
enlisted  to  save  from  the  grasp  of  Spain,  and  it  was 


MRS.  MOULTON   AND  CLASS. 

felt  by  everyone  that  further  and  faithful  work  was 
yet  to  be  done  before  the  task  to  which  this  country 
had  set  itself  should  be  complete. 

While  in  this  camp  General  Burt  ordered  the 
closing  of  all  canteens  and  shacks  in  the  brigade, 


ILLINOIS  VOLUNTEER   INFANTRY  45 

on  the  ground  that  the  goods  sold  in  them  were 
not  of  good  quality;  and  although  this  was  an  un 
popular  step,  there  is  little  doubt  that  it  was  a  wise 
one. 

During  the  trying  time  of  the  sickness  the  serv 
ices  of  Mrs.  Moulton,  the  wife  of  the  Colonel,  were 
untiring.  This  lady,  who  from  the  first  had  accom 
panied  the  regiment,  organized  a  hospital  ward 
auxiliary  to  the  Regimental  Hospital,  in  which  men 
who  were  ailing  could  be  taken  care  of  and  receive 
many  little  comforts  difficult  to  obtain  in  a  big 
Division  Hospital,  among  strangers. 

Into  this  hospital,  too;  were  received  such  men 
as  had  been  under  treatment  in  the  Division  Hos 
pital,  and  on  discharge  found  themselves,  though 
convalescent,  still  too  weak  for  active  duty.  These 
tents  were  filled  up  with  every  comfort  of  which 
a  camp  infirmary  is  susceptible,  and  many  a  soldier 
of  the  Second  Illinois,  now  alive  and  well,  owes  his 
life  to  Mrs.  Moulton's  ministrations  in  the  Conval 
escent  Hospital. 

The  men  had  already  realized  what  a  godsend 
the  wife  of  the  Colonel  was  to  the  regiment  while 
in  camp  at  Springfield.  She  sewed  on  buttons, 
mended  rents,  placed  a  motherly  hand  upon  the 
feverish  brow  of  the  patients  in  the  hospital,  and 
was  in  all  places  where  a  mother's  intuition  and 
kindness  led  the  way.  There  was  something 
touching  in  the  sight  of  the  private  hastily  slipping 
his  hat  from  his  head  when  Mrs.  Moulton  passed. 

Before  many  days  passed  Jacksonville  society 


4  HISTORY    OF   THE   SECOND    REGIMENT 

attempted  to  claim  Mrs.  Moulton.  But  the 
"mother  of  the  regiment,"  entirely  wrapped  up  in 
"her  boys,"  let  invitations  remain  unaccepted  and 
set  to  work  plying  the  needle  and  ministering  like 
some  kind  angel  to  the  sick.  Those  who  were 
hungry  for  a  tender  word  and  longing  for  home 
received  consoling  words,  and  everywhere  her  pres 
ence  carried  good  cheer  and  love. 

Mrs.  Moulton  is  worthy  of  all  the  praise  that  the 
men  of  the  Second  bestow  upon  her  unstintingly. 
The  comparatively  small  death  record  of  the  regi 
ment  was  largely  due  to  her  personal  work  at  Jack 
sonville  and  later  at  Savannah.  She  was  always  in 
camp  and  ever  looking  after  the  comfort  of  the 
sick  and  caring  for  all  who  were  in  need  of  such 
offices  as  only  a  mother  can  suggest. 

The  Regimental  Hospital  staff  had  a  hard  time 
of  it  at  Jacksonville,  with  the  result  that  Major 
Marquis  broke  down  and  had  to  proceed  home  on 
sickleave,  throwing  the  burden  onto  the  shoulders 
of  Lieutenant  Porter,  who  remained  at  his  post 
until  he  succumbed  to  the  deadly  typhoid  fever; 
when  two  contract  surgeons,  Doctors  Bath  and 
Slayter,  were  attached  to  the  regiment  until  the 
recovery  and  return  to  duty  of  the  regular  medical 
officers,  when  Dr.  Slayter  returned  to  his  home. 
The  services  of  these  two  officers  were  greatly 
appreciated  by  the  command,  and  Dr.  Bath  was 
eventually  commissioned  by  Governor  Tanner  as 
an  assistant  surgeon  of  the  regiment. 

The  food  of  the  soldiers  left  much  to  be  desired, 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  47 


DR.  SLAYTER. 

and  no  doubt  greatly  contributed  to  the  amount 
of  sickness.  The  trouble  was  not  merely  the  bad 
ness  in  quality  of  the  rations  issued,  but  their  want 
of  suitability  to  the  climate,  and  lack  of  variety. 
True,  the  United  Service  Regulations  direct  that 
substitutes  may  be  issued,  but  such  substitutes 
were  very  rarely  to  be  obtained,  while  trading 
undesired  food  for  other  articles  preferred,  though 
no  doubt  possible  at  a  post,  becomes  utterly 
impracticable  where  an  army  is  encamped,  for  the 
market  is  soon  glutted,  and  such  articles  as  the  sol 
diers  do  not  want  are  not  wanted  by  anyone  else. 


4°  HISTORY   OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

Salt  pork  and  hard-tack,  for  instance,  can  at  such 
times  hardly  be  given  away. 

Toward  the  close  of  the  stay  of  the  regiment  in 
Jacksonville,  a  regimental  bakery  was  established, 
the  excellent  bread  from  which  considerably  im 
proved  the  rations,  as  regarded  both  quality  and 
quantity. 

The  cool  weather  which  now  prevailed  began  to 
have  a  marked  effect  for  good  upon  the  health  of 
the  soldiers,  and  the  rapid  diminution  of  the  sick 
list  in  consequence  raised  the  spirits  of  the  men  and 
induced  a  more  cheerful  frame  of  mind,  which  in 
itself  had  all  the  effect  of  a  tonic. 

During  our  stay  in  Jacksonville  we  experienced 
the  full  force  of  a  Southern  cyclone.  The  wind 
blew  at  the  rate  of  68  miles  an  hour  for  36  hours, 
carrying  everything  before  it,  tents,  trees,  fences, 
and  shacks  filling  the  air,  while  the  rain  was  falling 
in  floods.  Trees  came  crashing  down,  tents  split 
and  blew  away,  and  everything  was  in  confusion. 
A  shout  was  heard  that  the  hospital  was  going,  and 
men  seized  and  hung  to  the  guy  ropes,  the  wind 
sweeping  them  off  their  feet.  The  large  Y.  M.  C.  A. 
tent  was  down,  and  we  obtained  ropes  from  it  with 
which  we  secured  smaller  tents  and  carried  the  sick 
into  them,  when  down  went  the  hospital. 

Night  came  on  with  1,200  men  as  wet  as 
drowned  rats,  without  a  dry  blanket  or  coat.  The 
medical  officers  served  out  whisky  and  quinine  to 
the  men,  which  no  doubt  to  some  extent  obviated 
the  results  of  the  soaking. 


49 


5°  HISTORY    OF    THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

On  the  2 ist  of  October  the  long-looked-for 
order  arrived  for  rhe  regiment  to  proceed  to  Savan 
nah,  Georgia,  to  await  embarkation  to  Cuba,  and 
though  the  news  did  not  arouse  so  much  enthusi 
asm  as  it  would  have  had  it  arrived  a  few  months 
earlier,  still  it  was  welcomed  with  all  the  soldier's 
proverbial  eagerness  for  a  change.  Colonel  Moul- 
ton  at  this  time  rejoined  from  a  short  and  well- 
earned  leave  of  absence,  and  at  noon,  October  24th, 
the  "General"  sounded,  the  camp  was  struck,  and 
the  regiment  proceeded  to  the  railway  siding  to 
take  the  train.  However,  the  inevitable  hitch  oc 
curred  in  the  transport  arrangements,  and  it  was 
not  until  3  :2O  o'clock  the  following  morning,  that 
the  regiment  was  safely  on  board  the  cars,  and  en 
route  for  Savannah. 


CHAPTER  V 

SAVANNAH 

October  25,  1898,  the  regiment  arrived  at  Savan 
nah,  Georgia,  after  passing  through  some  of  the 
worst  country  it  had  ever  been  our  lot  to  see.  The 
sunken  lands  of  St.  Francis,  in  Arkansas,  are  eleva 
tions  compared  with  the  country  along  the  line  of 
the  Florida  Central  and  Peninsular  Railroad  be 
tween  Jacksonville  and  Savannah.  The  regiment 
went  into  camp  on  a  grassy  slope  about  a  mile  and 
a  half  from  the  city,  the  site  being  the  same  on 
which  was  encamped  the  old  Thirty-third  Illinois 
in  1864.  The  camp  was,  in  the  absence  of  the 
corps  commander,  temporarily  designated  "Camp 
Lee,"  but  on  his  return  the  name  was  changed  by 
his  order  to  "Camp  Onward;"  the  significance  of 
the  change  being  readily  understood  by  all  soldiers 
of  the  Seventh  Army  Corps. 

Savannah  is  distinctly  a  military  city.  Every 
where  about  the  city  and  its  surroundings  one  is 
confronted  with  armories,  military  monuments, 
forts,  and  earthworks  of  every  variety. 

Major  Purinton  had  been  stationed,  during  his 
service  in  the  Civil  War,  within  a  short  distance  of 
the  very  place  where  his  tent  was  pitched  in  1898. 
The  Civil  War  defenses  of  the  city  of  Savannah  still 

51 


52 


HISTORY   OF   THE   SECOND    REGIMENT 


remain,  except  where  they  have  been  leveled  to 
allow  for  the  expansion  of  the  city.  Three  lines 
of  defense  were  built,  including  river  batteries,  etc. 
Forts  Pulaski,  Jackson,  and  McAllister  were  the 
most  noted  of  the  river  batteries  and  fortifications. 


SAVANNAH,  GA. 

The  second  line  was  what  was  known  as  the  interior 
line  of  defense.  This  was  almost  semi-circular  in 
contour  and  distant  from  the  city  an  average  of 
three-fourths  of  a  mile.  The  line  was  intended  to 
resist  any  direct  assault  upon  the  city,  should  the 
attacking  force  succeed  in  passing  the  exterior  line. 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER   INFANTRY  53 

The  curtains  were  not  of  the  same  heavy  char 
acter  as  the  lunettes,  but  consisted  of  rifle  pits  and 
lighter  entrenchments.  Fort  Boggs,  on  the  left 
of  the  line  from  the  city,  was  a  heavy  bastioned 
work  about  an  acre  and  a  half  in  area.  Fort 
Brown  was  also  a  work  of  some  importance  on  this 
line.  The  earthwork  crosses  the  Thunderbolt  shell 
road  near  our  camp  and  the  last  named  fort  is  near 
by.  The  outer  line  of  works  is  from  four  to 
seven  miles  from  the  city,  and  consists  of  detached 
works  continuously  connected  with  rifle  pits.  The 
natural  defense  must  have  been  very  strong,  the 
swamps  and  lowlands  in  front  of  the  line  being  now 
almost  impenetrable.  This  line  was  held  for  eight 
days  against  General  Sherman,  but,  like  the  pro 
verbial  saying  concerning  the  success  of  American 
arms,  Uncle  Billy  "got  what  he  went  after." 

Nowhere  in  the  South  is  the  military  esprit  du 
corps  maintained  with  more  ardor  and  enthusiasm 
than  in  Savannah.  The  chivalric  spirit  of  the  fol 
lowers  of  old  General  Oglethorpe,  who  landed  on 
what  is  called  Yamacran  Bluff,  in  1733,  has  never 
subsided.  One  full  regiment,  part  of  another,  and 
a  squadron  of  the  First  Georgia  cavalry  went  to  the 
volunteer  army  for  the  Spanish  War.  During  the 
Civil  War  Savannah  furnished  over  three  thousand 
troops  to  the  Confederate  service.  Its  leading  mili 
tary  organizations  are  the  First  Volunteer  Regi 
ment  of  Georgia,  Chatham  Artillery,  Savannah 
Volunteer  Guards,  and  the  Georgia  Hussars,  all  of 
which  antedate  the  Civil  War  by  more  than  half  a 


54 


HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 


century.  The  Chatham  Artillery,  the  oldest  artil 
lery  battery  but  one  in  the  United  States,  was  or 
ganized  May  i,  1786.  It  is  an  interesting  fact  that 
the  Chatham  artillery  furnished  from  its  member 
ship  over  fifty  officers  for  the  Confederate  service. 
In  front  of  their  armory  stand  the  Washington 
guns,  so  called  from  their  having  been  presented 
to  the  battery  by  General  Washington.  They  are 
relics  around  which  cluster  memories  of  many  his 
torical  events.  They  are  French  guns  which  were 
captured  by  the  Colonial  and  British  forces  in  Can 
ada  during  the  French  and  Indian  War,  and  were 


SERGEANT  JASPER  MONUMENT. 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  55 

afterward  used  against  the  Americans  in  the  Revo 
lutionary  War,  being  surrendered  by  Cornwallis  at 
Yorktown.  The  guns  were  too  light  to  be  used  in 
the  Civil  War — the  War  of  Secession,  as  it  is  uni 
versally  called  down  here — and  the  Chatham  artil 
lery,  before  evacuating  the  city,  buried  them  to 
keep  them  from  falling  into  the  hands  of  the  Union 
forces.  They  remained  underground  until  1870, 
when  Georgia,  having  regained  her  position  as  a 
sovereign  state,  and  having  the  right  to  an  armed 
force,  they  were  resurrected  and  mounted  on  new 
carriages. 

Savannah  cemeteries  are  all  very  pretty  and  inter 
esting.  Laurel  Grove  is  the  principal  burial  place, 
however.  It  is  situated  on  high  ground,  sur 
rounded  by  native  forests,  and  is  a  picturesque  and 
beautiful  place.  Here  lie  nearly  fifteen  hundred 
Confederate  dead,  heroes  of  the  lost  cause.  Each 
grave  is  marked  by  a  neat  marble  headstone.  Bon- 
aventure  Cemetery  is  four  miles  from  the  city  on 
the  banks  of  the  Thunderbolt  river,  and  its  natural 
scenery,  with  its  historic  associations,  render  it  one 
of  the  most  interesting  places  near  Savannah.  The 
old  burying  ground  on  South  Broad  street,  how 
ever,  is  one  of  the  oldest  cemeteries  in  America, 
The  history  of  the  place  is  obscure.  It  is  sur 
rounded  by  a  high  brick  wall  and  the  interior  is 
grown  up  with  weeds  and  briars.  It  contains  the 
tomb  of  many  of  the  early  colonists  of  Georgia. 
General  Nathaniel  Greene  was  buried  here,  and  the 
cemetery  contains  the  graves  of  many  heroes  of  the 
Revolution. 


5^  HISTORY   OF  THE   SECOND   REGIMENT 

A  lieutenant  in  our  regiment  happened  into  this 
old  cemetery  one  day  and  stopped  in  front  of  a 
grave  and  read  upon  the  headstone : 


JOHN  ROGERS,  AGED  177  YRS. 


And  read  again : 


WM.  TRELAWNEY,  AGED  189  YRS. 


He  got  out  his  book  and  pencil,  as  he  considered 
this  a  pretty  ripe  old  age,  and  copied  the  inscrip 
tions  and  brought  them  to  camp,  where  he  showed 
them  to  his  brother  officers,  with  many  a  remark 
about  longevity,  etc.  He  was  very  much  chagrined 
soon  after,  however,  when  an  old  resident  explained 
how,  when  "Sherman's  dashing  Yankee  boys" 
occupied  the  city,  some  of  them  desecrated  the 
headstones  in  the  old  cemetery,  scratching  figure 
I's  in  front  of  the  ages  given  after  the  names  of 
some  of  the  deceased  citizens. 

Many  wives  and  relatives  of  officers  and  soldiers 
visited  Savannah  at  this  time  for  the  purpose  of 
spending  a  few  days  with  their  dear  ones  before 
they  sailed  for  Cuba. 

At  Savannah,  as  at  Jacksonville,  the  Second 
Illinois  earned  golden  opinions  for  the  excellent 
conduct  of  its  members.  The  absence  of  rowdyism 
amongst  so  many  men  from  such  various  walks  of 
life  was  indeed  remarkable,  and  excited  favorable 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER   INFANTRY 


57: 


SENTINEL  WITH   KRAG-JORGENSEN  RIFLE. 

comment    from    all    commanding    officers    under 
whom  the  regiment  served. 

The  regiment  was  now  armed  with  the  Krag- 
Jorgensen  rifle,  an  excellent  weapon,  and  the  part 
ing  from  the  old-fashioned  Springfields  seemed  like 
severing  the  last  link  which  bound  us  to  the 
National  Guard  service. 


5°  HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

During  the  stay  of  the  regiment  in  Savannah, 
Captain  Thompson,  the  Acting  Commissary  of 
Subsistence,  succeeded  in  obtaining  for  the  regi 
ment  a  far  better  supply  of  food  than  had  previously 
been  issued. 


SENTINEL  WITH  SPRINGFIELD   RIFLE. 

While  here  the  first  casualties  occurred  amongst 
the  commissioned  ranks  of  the  regiment,  Captain 
Win.  A.  Chadwick,  of  Co.  D,  and  First  Lieutenant 
Andrew  E.  Paulsen,  of  Co.  C,  both  succumbing  to 
typhoid  fever.  Both  were  married  men. 

A  regimental  newspaper  made  its  appearance  in 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  59 

Savannah,  being  edited  by  Private  Edward 
Strachan,  of  Company  I.  It  was  neat  in  appear 
ance,  bright  and  breezy  in  character,  and  attained 
a  considerable  circulation. 

The  stay  in  Savannah  was  brought  to  a  fitting 
close  by  a  grand  review  of  the  entire  Seventh  Army 
Corps  in  Forsyth  Park.  Sixteen  thousand  troops 
passed  in  review,  for  besides  the  Seventh  Army 
Corps,  there  were  on  parade  the  Third  Georgia 
Regiment,  the  Second  U.  S.  Artillery,  two  light 
batteries  from  the  Third,  one  from  the  Fourth,  one 
from  the  Fifth,  and  the  First  Maine  Artillery. 
Troop  A  of  the  First  Georgia  Cavalry — -the  famous 
Jeff  Davis  legion  of  the  Civil  War — formed  Gen 
eral  Lee's  escort. 

Drill,  which  during  the  hot  weather  in  Jackson 
ville,  had  been  to  some  extent  lightened,  was  in 
creased  again,  yet  the  soldiers  always  had  plenty  of 
energy  left  for  the  pursuit  of  such  pastimes  as  foot 
ball  and  baseball,  the  regimental  teams  putting  up 
some  very  creditable  games  in  contests  with  repre 
sentatives  of  other  regiments. 

While  here  the  three  officers  of  Company  A  re 
signed,  Captain  Van  Zandt,and  Lieutenants  Bander 
and  Adams,  whose  places  were  filled  by  Captain 
Lino,  and  Lieutenants  Perry  and  Magrath,  the 
first  joining  from  the  recently  mustered  out  First 
Regiment  Illinois  Cavalry,  while  the  others  were 
promotions  from  second  lieutenant  and  sergeant 
respectively.  Sergeant  Magrath  had  been  acting 
for  a  considerable  period  as  first  sergeant,  during 


6o 


HISTORY   OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 


the  absence  on  sick  leave  of  First  Sergeant  Cleff, 
and  his  appointment  to  commissioned  rank  was  a 
very  popular  one. 

Two  fine  horses  from  Kentucky,    imported  by 
Captain  Thompson,  were  a  handsome  reinforce- 


VICTOR. 

ment  to  the  mounts  of  the  regimental  staff.  The 
Chaplain  also  acquired  the  charger  of  Colonel  Tor- 
rey,  of  the  disbanded  Second  Rough  Riders,  It 
was  while  mounted  on  this  horse,  "Cowboy,"  that 
the  Chaplain  was  one  day,  on  a  sham-fight,  re 
quested  by  the  Colonel  to  ride  to  the  Third  Bat 
talion  and  order  them  to  reinforce  the  fighting  line, 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER   INFANTRY 


6l 


which  was  being  hard  pressed.  The  animal  carried 
the  Chaplain  to  the  Third  Battalion  and  stopped 
there,  but  Dr.  Bolton  was  not  quite  ready  to  stop 
when  the  horse  did,  and  discovered  a  new  method 
of  dismounting,  about  ten  yards  in  front  of  his 


ROSEBUD. 

horse's  head.  Everyone  thought  at  first  that  the 
Chaplain  was  seriously  hurt,  but  he  explained  to 
the  Colonel  that  it  was  "only  his  way  of  getting 
off." 

At  all  the  leading  churches  the  services  of  the 
Second  Illinois  Chaplain  and  the  band,  under  the 
able  leadership  of  Mr.  Edward  Smith,  were  in  great 


62 


HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 


request,*  in  fact,  so  many  invitations  were  extended 
that  many  had  to  be  declined. 

The  good  fellowship  and  hospitality  shown  by 
the  people  of  Savannah  to  the  multitude  of  soldiers 
suddenly  poured  upon  them  was  remarkable,  while 
on  the  other  hand,  the  good  behavior  of  the  mili 
tary  was  beyond  all  praise.  The  troops  and  the 
citizens  fraternized,  and  "North"  and  "South"  be 
came  merely  geographical  terms. 

Thanksgiving  Day  was  spent  at  Savannah,  and 
was  a  gala  day  for  the  soldiers.  The  citizens  raised 
a  fund  for  their  entertainment;  a  committee  of 
ladies  was  formed,  and  every  company  in  the  corps 
supplied  with  eatables  suitable  to  the  occasion, 
ladies  being  detailed  to  every  mess  to  attend  to  the 
wants  of  the  men.  The  Second  Illinois  will  always 
have  a  tender  spot  in  its  regimental  heart  for  Savan 
nah. 

The  campground  here  was  far  superior  to  any 
thing  the  regiment  had  previously  experienced,  and 
the  health  of  the  troops  rapidly  improved.  All  the 
traces  of  fever  lingering  in  the  constitutions  of  the 
boys  were  swept  away  by  the  fresh  Georgian 
breezes,  and  the  whole  command  became  invigor 
ated,  the  listless  air  which  had  been  so  noticeable 
disappearing  as  if  by  magic. 

But  everyone  felt  that  the  stay  in  Savannah, 
pleasant  though  it  was,  was  but  the  prelude  to  the 
journey  which  all  had  desired  so  long  to  make — the 

*  Whether  this  fact  was  due  to  a  desire  for  the  Chaplain's  sermons,  or  for 
Mr.  Smith's  music,  is  an  unsettled  question.  (Ed.) 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY 


journey  to  Cuba,  so  long  deferred  that  pessimists 
refused  to  believe  that  it  ever  would  happen. 

However,  all  things  come  to  him  who  waits,  and 
on  December  5th  the  regiment  received  orders  to 


MESS  TENT. 

be  in  readiness  at  an  hour's  notice  to  embark  for 
Havana.  Its  popular  commander,  Colonel  Moul- 
ton,  however,  was"  not  destined  to  accompany  the 
regiment,  he  being  detailed,  on  the  6th  of  Decem 
ber,  to  proceed  at  once  to  Havana,  by  way  of 
Tampa,  Florida,  to  assume  the  office  of  Chief  of 
Police  of  the  city  of  Havana,  and  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  W.  D.  Hotchkiss  took  command  of  the 


64 


HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 


regiment,  and  brought  to  it  his  best  gifts,  leaving 
nothing  undone,  within  his  power  to  do,  for  the 
comfort  of  the  soldiers  during  the  breaking  of 
camp,  the  trip  to  Cuba  of  the  first  and  second  bat- 


THANKSGIVING  DINNER. 

talions,  and  was  in  command  until  the  return  of 
Colonel  Moulton,  January  n,  1899,  when  he  took 
the  regiment  out  to  meet  the  Colonel  at  Beuena 
Vista,  and  after  speeches  and  cheers,  turned  the 
command  over  to  him. 


CHAPTER  VI 

TRIP    TO    HAVANA 

Orders  came  December  7,  1898,  that  the  regi 
ment  should  move  next  day.  For  several  days 
preparations  had  been  making,  extra  baggage  had 
been  packed,  and  tent  floors  sawn  in  twain  for  con 
venience  of  transportation,  and  on  Thursday  the 
regimental  transport  was  busily  engaged  conveying 
the  belongings  of  the  regiment  to  the  docks.  Then 
came  another  hitch.  The  embarkation  was,  to  the 
universal  disgust,  ordered  postponed  till  next  day, 
and  two  battalions  only  to  go  on  the  "Michigan," 
the  other  to  follow  on  the  "Mobile,"  insufficient 
accommodation  on  the  former  boat  rendering  this 
course  necessary. 

The  night  was  cold  and  raw,  and  the  troops,  tent- 
less,  spent  a  night  of  discomfort.  The  gray  dawn 
of  the  morning  was  a  welcome  sight  to  the  house 
less  battalions,  and  after  a  scanty  breakfast  of  "hard 
tack"  and  canned  meat,  they  prepared  for  the 
march  to  Savannah.  At  10  a.  m.  headquarters  and 
first  and  second  battalions,  under  command  of 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Hotchkiss,  marched  out,  with 
colors  flying  to  a  triumphal  march  by  the  band. 
The  wharf  was  reached  by  noon,  but  the  issue  of  an 

65 


66  HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 


TRANSPORT  MICHIGAN. 

order,  that  no  troops  were  to  embark  until  all  im 
pedimenta  were  on  board,  delayed  the  embarka 
tion  until  9  o'clock  at  night.  The  impossibility  of 
obtaining  dinner  or  supper,  coupled  with  the  fact 
that  a  copious  downpour  of  rain  continued  all  day, 
rendered  the  period  of  waiting  a  very  unpleasant 
experience.  Finally,  hungry  and  soaked  to*  the 
skin,  the  men  were  got  on  board. 

A  vessel  more  absolutely  unfit  for  the  transporta 
tion  of  troops  can  hardly  be  imagined.  Filthy  in 
the  extreme,  the  sickening  odors  arising  from  the 
decks  and  hold  rendered  the  ship  unsanitary  to  a 
degree,  while  the  deck  on  which  it  was  proposed 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  67 

to  quarter  the  troops  was  situated  beneath  that  on 
which  the  mules  and  other  animals  were  to  be  car 
ried;  and  as  the  decks  were  by  no  means  water 
tight,  the  leakage  ran  through  to  the  troop  deck, 
causing  a  state  of  things  easier  to  imagine  than 
to  describe.  The  vessel  was  a  superannuated  cattle- 
boat  and  in  no  respect  had  it  been  rendered  fit  for 
the  service  it  was  now  to  be  engaged  in. 

This  condition  of  affairs  drew  forth  an  energetic 
and  spirited  remonstrance  from  Major  Marquis,  the 
regimental  surgeon,  presented  by  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Hotchkiss,  which  brought  Adjutant- 
General  Dorst  and  Inspector-General  Guild  down 
to  inspect  the  vessel.  They  both  fully  agreed  with 
the  Lieutenant-Colonel  as  to  the  entire  unfitness  of 
the  old  hulk  for  the  purposes  intended,  and  a  fur 
ther  delay  took  place.  At  noon  next  day  an  order 
was  received  from  headquarters  that  the  regiment 
might  choose  between  accepting  passage  in  the 
"Michigan, "and  staying  behind  and  taking  chances 
of  another  ship.  The  latter  course  was  quite  out 
of  the  question,  so  with  a  good  deal  of  smothered 
indignation,  the  situation  was  accepted,  and  it  was 
decided  to  put  up  with  the  wretched  accommoda 
tion  provided  by  the  Quartermaster's  Department. 

The  passage  down  the  river  was  of  the  nature 
of  a  triumphal  progress.  Cheering  crowds  along 
the  banks  of  the  river  attested  the  popularity  of  the 
Second  Illinois  with  the  good  folks  of  Savannah. 
In  fact,  first  and  last,  the  people  of  Georgia  evinced 
the  kindest  feelings  and  the  most  open-hearted 


68  HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

good-will  of  any  of  those  among  whom  we 
sojourned  during  our  stay  in  the  army. 

But  we  were  not  yet  fairly  on  our  way.  The  bar 
at  Tybee  only  serves  at  high  tide  for  a  vessel  of  the 
draught  of  the  "Michigan,"  and  we  had  to  lie  to  for 
the  early  morning  tide.  It  was  reported  in  the 
Chicago  Record  of  December  12,  1898,  that 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Hotchkiss  was  ashore  when 
the  "Michigan"  got  under  way,  and  only  succeeded 
in  reaching  the  vessel  after  an  exciting  chase  on  a 
tugboat.  This  was  an  error.  Colonel  Hotchkiss 
never  left  the  vessel.  The  fact  was  that  at  first  it 
was  thought  accommodation  could  not  be  pro 
vided  for  the  band,  and  Chief  Musician  Smith  and 
his  accomplished  corps  of  musicians  were  ordered 
to  return  to  shore  and  report  to  Major  Purinton, 
of  the  third  battalion.  Subsequently,  however, 
room  was  found  for  the  band,  so  Captain  Sherwin 
and  Lieutenant  Scheying  were  despatched  to  bring 
it  back.  The  bandsmen  had,  however,  in  the 
meantime  obtained  from  corps  headquarters  leave 
of  absence  for  the  rest  of  the  day,  and  the  two  offi 
cers  were  unable  to  collect  them.  They  returned 
too  late  to  get  on  board  until  after  the  vessel  sailed. 
So,  to  Lieutenant-Colonel  Hotchkiss'  chagrin,  the 
first  and  second  battalions  proceeded  on  their 
voyage  without  the  distinction  of  having  the  "best 
.band  in  the  Seventh  Army  Corps"  to  play  them 
into  Havana. 

Next  day  was  Sunday.  Before  daybreak  the  ris 
ing  tide  floated  the  old  liner  over  the  bar,  and  by 


7°  HISTORY    OF   THE   SECOND    REGIMENT 

the  time  our  bugles  sang  reveille  we  were  well  away. 
All  hands  were  early  on  deck,  for  the  foul  air  and 
the  filthy  leakage  from  the  mule  stalls  rendered  a 
long  stay  between  decks  intolerable  to  the  strong 
est  stomach. 

Even  the  discomforts  of  the  dirty,  overcrowded 
vessel,  however,  were  powerless  to  damp  the  spir 
its  of  the  men,  exhilarated  by  the  warm  breeze  of 
the  Gulf  Stream,  and  by  the  experience,  novel  to 
the  majority,  of  the  wonders  of  the  boundless 
ocean.  The  great,  apparently  endless,  expanse  of 
blue-green  water,  kissed  by  the  blue  of  the  horizon; 
the  gentle  swells  with  their  feathery  caps  of  white; 
the  lumbering  porpoises,  wallowing  in  the  billowy 
depths  of  the  fathomless  sea;  an  occasional  sail,  or 
a  steamer  streaking  the  closing  horizon  with  a  faint 
line  of  smoke;  all  made  up  an  aggregation  of  mar 
vels  previously  unknown  to  the  boys  from  Chicago, 
to  most  of  whom  an  occasional  jaunt  on  Lake 
Michigan  had  been  the  sole  experience  of  seafar 
ing. 

Night-time  at  sea  in  the  tropics,  in  fine  weather, 
is  a  tranquil  dream  of  beauty.  The  blue  firmament 
of  day  gradually  melts  into  the  softer  shades  of 
evening.  Nature  casts  her  gems  of  sparkling  light 
with  lavish  hand  over  the  vaulted  canopy  of  heaven, 
every  star  being  reflected  in  the  bosom  of  the  placid 
deep.  The  phosphorescence  of  the  sea  marks  the 
track  of  everything  that  moves  in  the  water.  The 
eye  never  tires  of  watching  the  kaleidoscopic 
changes  which  every  wave  and  every  breath  of  air 
bring. 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER   INFANTRY  71 

Tuesday  the  I3th,  at  about  10  a.  m.,  Key  West 
was  sighted,  about  eight  miles  on  the  starboard 
bow,  and,  changing  our  course  to  a  more  southerly 
one,  we  steered  direct  for  Havana.  As  evening 
approached  the  decks  were  thronged,  each  and  all 
anxious  to  obtain  the  first  glimpse  of  the  most 
famous  and  most  fought-over  city  of  the  Western 
Hemisphere.  Small  sailing  and  coasting  vessels 
began  to  be  seen,  showing  that  land  was  not  far 
distant.  At  8  p.  m.  Havana  was  sighted.  The  light 
of  old  Morro  gleamed  out  cheerfully  across  the 
water,  as  if  welcoming  our  approach.  The  pilot 


r 


MORRO   CASTLE. 


72  HISTORY    OF   THE   SECOND    REGIMENT 

came  aboard,  and,  steaming  past  El  Morro  and 
Cabanas,  we  anchored  for  the  night  under  the 
mighty  protection  of  the  guns  of  the  United  States 
cruiser  "New  York." 

Havana  by  night  as  seen  from  the  bay  presents  a 
beautiful  spectacle.  Anchored  in  the  midst  of  the 
harbor,  the  lights  of  the  city  half-encompassing  us 
in  an  immense  semi-circle,  we  remained  on  deck, 
gazing  at  the  city  and  the  lights  of  the  shipping  in 
harbor,  till  tired  nature  warned  us  that  we  had  had 
enough  of  sight-seeing  for  one  day,  and  we  sought 
and  speedily  obtained  the  sleep  of  the  weary. 

The  notes  of  "I  can't  get  'em  up"  found  no  lag 
gards  next  morning.  Bright  and  early  the  men 
were  on  deck,  to  correct  by  the  certainties  of  day 
light  the  dim  impressions  of  the  previous  night. 
Boat-load  after  boat-load  of  Cubans  passing  the 
ship  cheered  us  continually,  and  the  boys  from  Illi 
nois  were  not  backward  in  responding  with  hearty 
American  "hurrahs"  to  the  enthusiastic  Cuban 
"vivas."  Hard  by  lay  the  wreck  of  the  erstwhile 
mighty  "Maine,"  and  scattered  about  the  harbor 
were  a  score  of  other  wrecks,  some  of  which,  as  we 
learned  later,  had  been  lying  there  over  a  hundred 
years.  But  of  course  it  was  the  "Maine"  that  was 
the  cynosure  of  all  eyes.  Nothing  strange  or  new 
to  us,  for  we  had  all  seen  pictures  of  the  wreck, 
taken  from  every  conceivable  point  of  view;  but  the 
sight  of  that  shattered  hulk  itself  excited  feelings 
of  the  most  intense  emotion  in  every  American 
heart,  mingled  with  satisfaction  that  the  authors  of 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER   INFANTRY 


73 


the  terrible  treachery,  of  which  it  had  been  the  vic 
tim,  had  not  escaped  retribution  for  their  dastardly 
act. 

All  day  was  occupied  in  unloading  mules,  bag 
gage  and  stores,  and  it  was  not  until  the  following 


WRECK  OF  THE  MAINE. 

morning,  Thursday,  December  15,  1898,  that  we 
at  last  set  foot  for  the  first  time  on  Cuban  soil. 

Greatly  regretting  the  absence  of  our  unrivaled 
band,  at  9  a.  m.  we  swung  into  fours  for  our  march 
through  the  narrow  streets  of  the  old  city.  The 
discomforts  of  our  recent  voyage  were  soon  for 
gotten  amid  the  varied  and  picturesque  scenes 
which  met  our  eyes  at  every  turn. 

The  Cubans  turned  out  in  great  force  to  wel- 


74  HISTORY    OF   THE   SECOND    REGIMENT 

come  us.  Everywhere  we  were  greeted  with  cries 
of  "Viva  los  Americanos,"  kkViva  Cuba  Libre"  from 
all  sides.  Men,  women,  and  children  thronged 
around  us;  they  seized  our  hands;  they  saluted  us 
with  the  Stars  and  Stripes  of  America  and  the  Lone 
Star  of  Cuba,  they  showered  flowers  upon  us;  they 
hung  wreaths  of  beautiful  roses  on  the  necks  and 
bridles  of  the  horses,  and  the  rifles  of  the  men.  The 
Chaplain  especially  was  the  recipient  of  many  beau 
tiful  wreaths,  and  attracted  especial  attention,  the 
crowd  taking  him  for  General  Lee,  a  rather  embar 
rassing  mistake,  as  some  •  disgruntled  Spaniard 
might  have  tried  a  pot-shot  at  him  from  a  window, 
under  the  impression  that  he  was  performing  a 
patriotic  act. 

Apart  from  the  overflowing  joy  of  the  populace, 
the  newness  of  the  scene,  the  narrow  streets,  the 
quaint  houses  with  their  thick  walls  and  long  col 
onnades,  the  peculiar  vehicles,  and  the  appearance 
of  the  people  themselves,  all  made  up  an  experi 
ence  the  novelty  of  which  lightened  the  labor  of 
the  long,  hot,  and  dusty  eight  miles  march  to  Mari- 
anao,  where  the  regiment  was  to  encamp.  The 
road  wound  in  and  out  among  hills  of  solid  rock, 
each  commanded  by  the  unfailing  military  block 
house,  and  girdled  by  fences  of  barbed  wire.  The 
defenses  around  Havana  impressed  us  as  being  well- 
nigh  impregnable  to  an  enemy. 

By  noon  we  reached  camp,  where  we  found  our 
old  neighbors,  the  First  North  Carolina,  already 
ensconced.  The  camp  ground  was  admirably 


75 


76  HISTORY    OF   THE   SECOND    REGIMENT 

selected  as  to  both  sanitation  and  scenery.  To  the 
east  lay  the  city  of  Havana;  to  the  west  the  town 
of  Marianao,  and  the  mountains  of  Pinar  del  Rio. 
Two  miles  to  the  northward  the  waters  of  the  Gulf 
rolled  blue  in  the  sunlight;  to  the  southward 
stretched  a  rolling  landscape,  dotted  here  and  there 
by  orange  groves  and  groups  of  royal  palms,  while 
in  the  shade  of  their  deep  green  leaves  an  occa 
sional  Cuban  mansion  with  its  fanciful  architecture 
furnished  a  strikingly  beautiful  contrast. 

Our  tents  were  soon  pitched,  and,  tired  though 
our  men  were,  the  feeling  of  satisfaction  at  having 
at  last  arrived  at  the  objective  point  of  our  journey, 
and  being  actually  encamped  on  sure-enough 
Cuban  soil,  amply  compensated  for  all  that  had 
been,  and  that  remained  to  be,  undergone. 


CHAPTER  VII 
THIRD  BATTALION'S  TRIP  TO  HAVANA 

And  now  to  return  to  the  Third  Battalion,  whom 
we  left  behind  in  Savannah.  During-  the  time 
which  remained  to  them,  the  ground  on  which  the 
camp  stood  was  thoroughly  policed,  until  not  so 
much  as  a  lucifer  match  was  left  to  be  picked  up. 
The  old  tents  were  left  standing,  as  new  and  larger 
tents  were  to  be  issued  in  Cuba.  The  weather  was 
bleak  and  raw,  and  the  short  period  before  embark 
ation  was  spent  rather  uncomfortably  in  conse 
quence. 

Promptly  at  2  p.  m.,  December  12,  1898,  the 
Third  Battalion  formed  up;  every  man  neatly 
dressed  and  equipped,  the  officers  in  their  nattiest 
uniforms.  Headquarters'  loss  was  the  Third  Bat 
talion's  gain,  for  Smith's  band,  the  pride  of  the 
Seventh  Army  Corps,  was  with  the  latter,  much  to 
their  delight.  Sufficient  time  was  allowed  for  the 
i6ist  Indiana  to  get  on  ahead,  and  at  2  115  p.  m.  the 
battalion  was  on  the  move  for  Cuba.  The  Fourth 
Virginia  turned  out  in  force  and  gave  us  three 
cheers  and  a  tiger  as  the  band  played  "Auld  Lang 
Syne."  Cheering  attended  the  battalion  right 
along  the  line  of  march  through  the  city  to  the 
docks,  the  band  exciting  particular  enthusiasm;  it 

77 


7  HISTORY    OF    THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

had  been  always  looked  upon  during  our  stay  in 
Savannah  as  the  finest  body  of  musicians  that  ever 
visited  that  city.  In  two  places  it  was  necessary  to 
halt  the  battalion,  the  crowd  being  so  great  as  to 
obstruct  its  progress.  It  was  a  glorious,  day,  and  a 
fitting  occasion  for  bidding  farewell  to  the  kind 
people  of  Savannah.  Our  stay  there  will  always 
remain  one  of  our  pleasantest  memories  of  the  cam 
paign. 

By  5  p.  m.  the  men  had  all  been  marched  on 
board  and  assigned  to  their  quarters  on  the  "Mo 
bile." 

The  Third  Battalion  were  much  more  fortunate 
than  their  comrades  of  the  First  and  Second  in 
the  matter  of  accommodation.  The  "Mobile"  was  a 
magnificent  vessel,  very  different  from  the  ex-cattle 
boat  on  which  Headquarters  had  had  such  a  mis 
erable  experience.  She  came  fresh  from  the  Navy 
Yard,  and  her  fittings  were  such  as  could  be  found 
on  no  other  Government  transport.  Her  sanitary 
arrangements  were  beyond  all  praise.  There  was 
an  excellent  sick  bay,  and  every  man  was  provided 
with  a  good  berth,  furnished  with  a  soft  bed 
and  a  spring  mattress  below  it.  This  was  particu 
larly  grateful  to  men  who  for  eight  months  had 
not  known  what  a  bed  meant.  Captain  Higgins, 
a  stalwart  Yankee  seaman  from  Maine,  commanded 
the  vessel.  Captain  Reed  was  Quartermaster  in 
charge,  and  his  arrangements  for  the  comfort  of 
the  men  were  effective  and  appreciated. 

The  "Mobile"  carried,  besides  the  Third  Battal- 


o  HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

ion,  Second  Illinois,  the  i6ist  Indiana,  a  company 
of  the  Fourth  Virginia,  a  company  of  the  Engineer 
Corps,  and  General  Williston  and  the  staff  of  the 
First  Brigade,  Second  Division,  with  some  fifty  or 
more  officers  detached  from  their  commands.  In 
all,  including  the  crew,  there  were  on  board  about 
2,100  souls.  In  an  emergency  the  "Mobile"  could 
accommodate  at  least  another  thousand. 

At  6  o'clock  next  morning,  the  moorings  were 
cast  off,  and,  in  tow  of  a. tug,  the  "Mobile"  left  her 
berth  and  passed  down  the  river,  steamers  and  tugs 
saluting  her  as  she  passed,  the  siren  fog  signal 
of  the  "Mobile1'  replying  with  generous  interest. 
At  length  we  were  over  the  bar  and  fairly  out  to 
sea.  We  steered  a  southeasterly  course  all  next 
day,  and  the  following  day  drew  in  toward  the 
Florida  coast.  The  weather  was  perfect.  The 
change  from  the  raw  temperature  of  Savannah  was 
very  noticeable.  Overcoats  became  a  superfluity 
and  blouses  were  discarded. 

Jupiter  Inlet,  where  the  Oregon  put  in  after  her 
long  cruise,  was  passed,  and  Palm  Branch,  with  its 
magnificent  winter  hotel  resorts,  during  the  fore 
noon  of  the  1 4th.  We  passed  close  inshore,  and 
the  people  on  the  beach  saluted  us  by  raising  and 
lowering  a  large  flag,  a  compliment  promptly 
responded  to  by  our  siren. 

In  the  afternoon  we  passed  Lemon  City  and 
Miami,  then,  as  we  approached  the  Florida  Keys, 
we  noticed  the  admirable  system  of  lighthouses 
placed  at  frequent  intervals  to  guide  aright  the 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER   INFANTRY  8 1 

"ships  that  pass  in  the  night";  the  difference  in  the 
character  of  the  lights,  one  stationary,  another  re 
volving,  a  third  showing  a  red  and  then  a  white 
light,  indicating  to  the  navigator  his  exact  position. 
The  life  of  a  lighthouse  keeper  on  one  of  these  reefs 
must  be  solitary  and  monotonous  in  the  extreme, 
and  the  marvel  is  that  men  can  be  found  willing  to 
fill  such  positions.  It  would  certainly  seem  as  if 
confinement  in  a  state  prison  would  be  a  paradise 
in  comparison. 

The  troops  turned  in  that  night  fully  expecting 
to  see  next  morning  the  world-famed  Morro,  and 
the  hills  of  Cuba,  and  at  7  a.  m.  next  day  the  decks 
were  thronged  with  soldiers  eagerly  looking  shore 
ward.  At  about  8  o'clock  the  dim  outlines  of 
Morro  and  the  prominent  headlands  at  the  mouth 
of  the  harbor  could  be  made  out,  with  the  assist 
ance  of  a  glass.  Gradually  the  mist  cleared  off,  and 
the  coast  became  more  distinct,  until  a  good  view 
of  the  historical  old  tower  could  be  obtained.  The 
prevailing  impression  at  first  was  that  it  could  not 
have  stood  long  against  an  attack  from  our  vessels 
of  war,  but  a  closer  approach  showed  the  defenses 
to  be  much  stronger  than  had  been  supposed.  The 
jutting  promontory  on  which  the  fort  and  castle 
is  built  is  all  solid  rock  of  a  coral  formation,  and 
though  but  few  guns,  and  those  of  antiquated  pat- 
tr.n,  were  visible,  yet  we  well  knew  that  Spain  had 
lavished  her  best  engineering  skill  and  placed  her 
most  modern  artillery  here  for  the  defense  of  her 
highly-prized  fortress.  As  we  approached  the 


$2  HISTORY    OF    THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

entrance  to  the  harbor,  we  were  on  the  lookout  for 
orders,  but  none  came,  and  we  sheered  off  up  the 
west  coast  to  wait  till  they  did.  The  scenery  from 
the  deck  was  very  beautiful,  the  green  hills  stretch 
ing  away  in  graceful  undulations,  crowned  here  and 
there  with  stately  groups  of  palms,  formed  a  pan 
orama  in  which  all  was  pleasing  and  novel.  The 
country  certainly  justifies  the  assertion  of  Colum 
bus,  who  said  that  it  was  the  most  beauteous  land 
that  eye  ever  beheld. 

About  noon,  signals  displayed  from  Morro  gave 
us  permission  to  enter.  We  put  about  and  made 
for  the  entrance  to  the  harbor,  and  as  we  steamed 
in,  the  bands  of  the  Second  Illinois  and  i6ist  Indi 
ana  played  all  the  patriotic  airs  in  their  repertoires. 
This  was  the  opportunity  the  boys  with  the  kodaks 
had  been  waiting  for,  and  to  the  full  they  availed 
themselves  of  it. 

The  old  castle  walls  were  lined  by  Spanish  sol 
diers,  who  watched  the  arrival  of  the  American  in 
vaders  with  an  aspect  of  calm  indifference,  which, 
no  doubt,  must  have  veiled  a  feeling  of  bitter  humil 
iation. 

There  was  no  need  for  anyone  to  ask  what  was 
the  dismantled  wreck  sticking  up  from  the  water  in 
the  middle  of  the  harbor.  The  pictures  of  the 
"Maine"  had  familiarized  everyone  with  its  appear 
ance,  and  it  was  recognized  immediately,  and  be 
came  the  cynosure  of  all  eyes  on  board.  It  brought 
vividly  to  mind  the  whole  episode  of  the  destruc 
tion  of  the  ill-fated  vessel,  and  the  cruel  iate  of  its 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  03 

gallant  crew,  so  suddenly  hurled  into  eternity  by 
the  treacherous  hand  of  the  assassin. 

For  two  days  we  were  moored  off  the  Machina 
before  the  troops  were  allowed  to  land,  as  a  case 
of  measles  had  developed  in  the  i6ist  Indiana;  dur- 


HAVANA   HARBOR. 

ing  this  time  the  work  of  unloading  went  merrily 
on.  On  Saturday  morning  the  troops  disembarked 
and  were  drawn  up  on  the  quay  in  heavy  marching 
order,  ready  for  the  march  through  the  city  and  out 
to  the  camp  near  Marianao,  whither  the  remainder 
of  the  regiment  had  preceded  us. 


§4  HISTORY   OF   THE   SECOND    REGIMENT 

Now  again  we  thanked  our  lucky  stars  that  there 
had  not  been  room  on  board  the  "Michigan"  for 
Mr.  Smith  and  his  musicians.  As  we  marched 
through  the  city  the  excitable  Cubans  could  not 
contain  their  enthusiasm,  their  vivas  filling  the  air, 
while  the  dark-eyed  senoras  and  senoritas  waved 
their  welcomes  from  the  grated  windows  which  are 
universal  in  Havana,  and  give  the  houses  much  the 
appearance  of  jails.  Houses  right  along  the  line 
of  route  were  gaily  decorated,  the  American  and 
Cuban  flags  predominating. 

Once  clear  of  the  city  the  road  to  the  camp  was 
lined  by  Spanish  soldiers,  who  occupied  houses 
used  as  barracks  at  various  points  along  the  road. 
They  were  drawn  up  at  attention  and  presented 
arms  to  us  as  we  passed,  we  of  course  returning  the 
salute. 

The  contrast  between  the  lightly  clad  Spanish 
soldiers,  looking  cool  and  comfortable  in  their  cot 
ton  clothing,  and  the  heavily  dressed,  heavily  laden 
American  soldiers,  toiling  along  the  dusty  road,  in 
the  scorching  sun,  sweating  in  heavy  marching 
order,  emphasized  the  fact  that  Spain  at  all  events 
knew  better  how  to  equip  troops  for  a  tropical 
country  than  did  the  War  Department  of  the 
United  States.  However,  hot  as  was  the  day,  few 
men  fell  out,  and  even  those  who  did  soon  rejoined. 
The  fact  was  that  the  novelty  of  the  experience 
caused  forgetfulness  of  fatigue.  At  1 130  p.  m.  the 
Third  Battalion,  dusty  but  delighted,  marched 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  05 

proudly  through  the  camp  of  their  old  friends  the 
"Tar  Heels"  of  the  First  North  Carolina,  who 
greeted  them  warmly,  and  in  a  few  minutes  more 
we  were  back  with  our  own  comrades,  busily 
engaged  pitching  camp,  and  getting  into  trim  to 
settle  down  in  the  sunny  land  of  Cuba. 


KODAK  FIEND. 


CHAPTER  VIII 

ORGANIZING  THE  HAVANA  POLICE 

In  October,  Major-General  Francis  Greene,  who 
had  up  to  that  time  commanded  the  Second  Divi 
sion  Seventh  Army  Corps,  was  ordered  to  Cuba,  the 
duties  appointed  him  being  to  survey  and  select 
suitable  camping"  grounds  for  the  American  troops 
who  were  soon  to  follow;  to  inquire  into  and 
report  upon  the  whole  system  of  government  in 
Cuba,  and  to  build  up  upon  that  foundation  a  reor 
ganized  and  reformed  fabric;  in  fine,  to  prepare  the 
way  for  American  rule  "in  Cuba.  General  Greene, 
who  was  a  most  popular  commander,  carried  out 
his  multifarious  duties  in  a  manner  to  satisfy  the 
most  exacting  critic. 

Among  the  most  pressing  needs  of  Havana,  and 
which  needed  immediate  attention,  was  the  neces 
sity  for  the  establishment  of  an  efficient  and  incor 
ruptible  police  force.  To  this  end  General  Greene 
procured  the  appointment  of  Colonel  Moulton  to 
superintend  this  department.  Before,  however,  the 
task  assigned  to  Colonel  Moulton  wras  complete, 
General  Greene  resigned  his  position  and  left  the 
island,  General  Lndlow  assuming  so  much  of  his 
duties  as  related  to  the  municipal  government  of 
the  city  of  Havana.  Under  the  new  regime  the 

86 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  87 


GEN.  FRANCIS   GREENE. 

plans  formulated  under  General  Greene  ceased  to 
find  favor,  and  General  Ludlow  found  it  advisable 
to  replace  Colonel  Moulton  by  Major  John  Gary 
Evans,  an  officer  of  his  own  staff,  who  was  more  in 
accord  with  his  own  views  on  the  subject. 

Although  his  selection  for  the  important  post  of 
Chief  of  Police  of  the  city  of  Havana  was  naturally 
gratifying  to  Colonel  Moulton,  it  may  well  be 
doubted  whether  it  fully  compensated  him  for  the 
loss  of  the  opportunity  to  march  into  Havana  at 


HISTORY    OF   THE   SECOND    REGIMENT 

the  head  of  the  regiment  in  which  he  took  so  much 
pride.  He  had  no  leisure,  however,  to  indulge  in 
any  vain  regrets,  for  the  task  that  was  set  him,  that 
of  organizing  a  police  force  for  the  city  of  Havana, 
demanded  and  received  his  whole  attention.  No 
better  choice  for  the  appointment  could  possibly 
have  been  made.  The  Colonel  brought  to  his  dif 
ficult  undertaking  a  sagacity,  a  business  tact,  an 
energy  and  unremitting  application  such  as  are  pos 
sessed  by  few  men,  and  which  promised  speedily 
to  evolve  order  out  of  the  chaos  that  confronted 
him. 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  order  appointing 
Colonel  Moulton  to  his  position : 

"Washington,  D.  C,  December  5,  1898. 
"General  Lee, 

"Commanding  7th  Corps,  Savannah,  Ga. 
"The  Secretary  of  War  directs  that  you  order 
"Colonel  Moulton,  2nd  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  to  Havana. 
"On  his  arrival  there  he  will  report  to  Major-Gen- 
"eral  F.  V.  Greene  for  special  duty;  travel  enjoined 
"is  necessary  for  the  public  service.  Colonel  Moul- 
"ton  should  go  on  first  steamer. 

"By  command  of  Major-General  Miles. 
(Signed.)  "H.  C.  CORBIN, 

"Adjutant-General." 

Colonel  Moulton  was,  in  pursuance  of  this  tele 
gram,  directed  by  General  Lee  to  proceed  to 
Tampa,  Florida,  and  embark  for  Havana.  He  ar 
rived  in  Havana  December  I2th,  and  duly  reported 
as  ordered.  General  Greene  informed  him  that  the 
duty  to  which  he  was  assigned  would  be  the  organ- 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER   INFANTRY  °9 

ization  of  a  permanent  civil  police  department  for 
the  city  of  Havana;  also  that  ex-Chief  of  Police 
McCullagh,  of  New  York  City,  would  arrive  on  the 
following  day,  with  whom  the  Colonel  was  to  con 
sult,  and,  after  study  of  the  situation,  to  submit  a 
plan  for  the  organization  of  the  proposed  depart 
ment. 

For  several  years  the  attention  of  the  police  was 
said  to  have  been  directed  rather  to  political  arrests 
than  to  the  prevention  of  crime,  with  the  result  of 
complete  disorganization  of  the  force.  It  had  con 
sisted  of  the  Government  police  of  the  province, 


OLD  POLICE. 


9°  HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

the  Municipal  police,  and  a  force  designated  the 
"Guardia  Civile/'  Each  of  these  forces  was  inde 
pendent  of  the  others,  and  the  natural  result  was 
"confusion  worse  confounded." 

The  President  had  authorized  the  raising-  o<f  a 


NEW  POLICE. 

body  of  i  ,000  men,  and  he  directed  explicitly  that 
the  recruits  for  this  force  should  be  selected  with 
out  regard  to  their  previous  affiliations,  either  for  or 
against  the  revolutionary  movement.  It  was  pro 
posed  to  comply,  in  spirit  as  in  letter,  with  those 
instructions  by  obtaining  the  men  from  the  existing 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  91 

police  force,  the  Cuban  troops,  and  discharged 
Spanish  soldiers. 

All  the  men  accepted  for  this  service  were 
required  to  subscribe  the  following  oath : 

"I  do  solemnly  swear  that  I  will  bear  true  and 
faithful  allegiance  to  the  Government  of  the  United 
States  existing  in  the  Island  of  Cuba,  and  that  I 
will  faithfully  and  obediently  perform  my  duty  as 
a  member  of  the  police  force  of  Havana,  under  the 
said  Government.  So  help  me  God." 

The  uniform  chosen  consisted  of  a  straw  hat, 
dark  blue  blouse  and  trousers,  tan  colored  shoes, 
and  white  gloves.  The  equipment  was  the  ordi 
nary  policeman's  club,  and  a  revolver,  while  ambu 
lances  of  the  army  pattern,  drawn  by  mules,  were 
supplied  for  use  as  patrol  wagons. 

One  great  obstacle  encountered  was  the  difficulty 
of  obtaining  suitable  quarters  for  the  proper  hous 
ing  of  the  men.  Captain  Thompson,  who,  with 
Lieutenant  Scheying,  had  been  appointed  to  the 
Department  as  Inspector,  was  assigned  the  duty 
of  inspecting  and  reporting  upon  the  suitability  of 
the  various  houses  suggested  for  the  purpose,  and 
found  the  task  of  selection  a  difficult  one. 

By  December  i7th  Colonel  Moulton  had,  with 
the  assistance  of  Mr.  McCullagh,  completed  his 
scheme,  and  made  his  report  to  General  Greene. 
He  proposed  the  division  of  the  city  into  police  dis 
tricts,  which  in  turn  were  to  be  subdivided  into  pre 
cincts,  with  officers,  sergeants,  detectives,  patrol 
men,  surgeons,  clerks,  etc.  Rules  had  been  formu- 


92  HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 


PENITENTIARY. 

lated,  contracts  entered  into,  applications  for  en 
trance  into  the  department  considered,  uniforms  and 
equipments  ordered,  leases  executed;  in  fact,  no 
detail  appeared  to  have  been  omitted,  and  the  re 
port  submitted  received  the  fullest  approbation  of 
Major-General  Greene,  who  authorized  the  pay 
ment  by  the  Chief  Quartermaster,  on  vouchers 
signed  by  Colonel  Moulton,  of  all  the  expenses  in 
curred  and  accruing. 

To  Captain  Thompson  was  assigned  the  task  of 
drilling  the  recruits,  and  in  spite  of  the  difficulty  of 
imparting  instruction  to  men  who  could  neither 
speak  nor  understand  the  English  language,  speedy 
progress  was  made. 

Very  natty  indeed  the  new  policemen  looked  in 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER   INFANTRY  93 

their  neat,  well-fitting  blue  clothing,  their  tan 
shoes,  white  gloves,  and  panama  hats,  and  they 
attracted  much  complimentary  remark  in  Havana 
from  both  foreigners  and  natives. 

In  an  undertaking  of  this  kind  the  organizing  is 
everything.  When  all  has  been  put  *n  train,  and 
a  good  system  established,  it  is  a  fairly  easy  task  to 
keep  the  wheels  running,  and  the  reins  can  be  as 
sumed  by  a  person  of  inferior  ability.  On  January 
nth,  by  order  of  Major-General  Ludlow,  Colonel 
Moulton  handed  over  his  charge  to  Major  John 
Gary  Evans,  an  officer  of  General  Ludlow' s  staff, 
and  returned  to  the  command  of  the  Second  Illinois 
regiment,  where  his  return  was  welcomed  with  de 
light  by  the  whole  command. 

The  achievement  of  having  in  such  an  extremely 
short  space  of  time  organized  thoroughly  a  force 
of  1,000  men,  equipped,  uniformed,  and  creditable 
alike  in  appearance  and  in  efficiency,  is  one  that 
may  challenge  comparison  and  reflects  the  very 
highest  credit  on  Colonel  Moulton,  though  his  suc 
cessful  carrying  out  of  his  instructions  formed  no 
matter  of  surprise  to  his  friends. 

There  is  nothing  more  remarkable  or  striking  to 
a  soldier  who  has  been  for  a  short  time  separated 
from  his  regiment  than  the  number  of  changes  that 
have  occurred  during  his  absence.  While  present 
with  the  regiment,  day  after  day  passes  without  any 
thing  eventful  occurring.  Parades,  guard  mounts 
and  drills  go  on  with  unvarying  monotony.  The 
same  faces  are  seen  every  day,  and  nothing  what- 


94  HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

ever  seems  to  disturb  the  dead  level  of  ordinary 
duty.  Let  him,  however,  for  ever  so  brief  a  period, 
be  detached,  and  on  his  return  he  is  surprised  to 
note  how  many  changes  have  taken  place.  So  it 
was  with  the  Colonel.  He  left  the  regiment  in 
Savannah,  with  all  its  companies,  save  Company  D, 
present  at  Headquarters,  but  returned  to  find  but 
one  complete  battalion,  the  Third,  present  with  the 
colors.  The  Second  Battalion,  complete,  under 
Major  Dusenberry,  had  been  detached  to  Cienfue- 
gos  to  perform  the  ceremony  of  raising  Old  Glory 
in  the  Province  of  Santa  Clara,  Company  B  was 
detached  to  Cerro,  where  it  was  engaged  in  the  per 
formance  of  provost  guard  duty,  under  Major  Rus 
sell  B.  Harrison,  the  Provost  Marshal  of  the  Sev 
enth  Army  Corps,  an  officer  who  probably  had 
attained  greater  notoriety  than  any  other  officer  in 
the  Corps.  Other  companies  were  subsequently 
detached  on  this  arduous  and  unpleasant  duty, 
which  demanded  the  services  of  so>  great  a  portion 
of  the  troops,  that  to  all  appearance  the  chief  duty 
of  the  Seventh  Army  Corps  in  Cuba  was  one-half 
mounting  guard  over  the  other  half. 

Colonel  Moulton's  return  to  the  regiment 
occurred  just  in  time  to>  enable  him  to  welcome 
Major  Dusenberry's  command  back  from  Cienfue- 
gos,  and  an  account  of  their  doings  at  that  place 
will  fittingly  commence  another  chapter. 


95 


CHAPTER  IX 

HAVANA 

To  adequately  describe  the  city  of  Havana  within 
the  limits  of  a  work  of  this  nature  would  be  a  task 
akin  to  that  of  baling  out  the  Atlantic  with  a  tea 
cup.  So  many-sided  is  this  remarkable  city  that 
piece-meal  sketches,  rather  than  a  finished  picture 
are  all  that  is  possible  under  the  circumstances. 

Havana  harbor  is  beautiful  at  any  time,  and  espe 
cially  in  the  morning.  The  water  of  the  harbor  is 
not  nearly  so  dirty  as  the  newspaper  reports  would 
lead  us  to  believe,  though  there  must  be  a  good 
deal  of  filth  accumulated  at  the  bottom.  The  water 
is  at  any  rate  clear  enough  to  sparkle  brilliantly  in 
the  sunshine. 

To  judge  from  the  amount  of  shipping  in  the 
harbor,  too,  business  is  by  no  means  at  the  low  ebb 
that  it  is  said  to  be.  Flags  of  all  Nations  are  flying 
at  the  peaks.  Lining  the  bay  all  around  are  long 
rows  of  sugar  and  tobacco  warehouses  with  their 
wharves  in  front. 

The  regular  morning  ceremony  of  saluting  the 
colors  on  the  American  ships  in  the  harbor  is  a 
most  inspiring  sight  and  excites  much  enthusiasm 
among  the  Americans  in  Havana. 

Launches  can  be  seen  plying  between  shore  and 


9  HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

their  respective  vessels.  The  lumbering  barge  of 
the  custom  house  boarding  officer,  small  boats 
rowed  by  sailors,  others  propelled  by  Cuban  boat 
men,  or  by  sail,  with  little  canvas  awnings  rigged 
over  their  stern-seats,  jog  back  and  forth,  while  in 
the  middle  of  the  harbor  the  twisted  mass  of  iron 
that  was  the  " Maine"  rises  in  rusty  bulk  above  the 
water.  Opposite,  the  grim-looking  Morro;  the 
white  walls  on  the  abrupt  hills  of  the  Cabanas  for 
tifications,  while  the  outer  portion  of  the  city  is 
marked  out  by  the  long,  regular  rows  of  green  trees 
that  stretch  away  till  they  are  lost  in  the  distant 
buildings.  How  many  memories  of  haughty  Span 
ish  Dons  cluster  round  the  walls!  What  visions 
of  gold-laden  ships,  reckless  freebooters,  daring  ad 
venturers,  and  untiring  explorers ! 

The  handsomest  street  in  Havana  is  the  Prado, 
the  favorite  promenade  of  the  wealthy  classes  of 
the  city.  It  is  a  fine  boulevard,  leading  from  the 
Parque  Isabel,  a  small  park  in  front  of  the  well- 
known  Hotel  cle  Inglaterra,  A  statue  of  Queen 
Isabella  stands  in  the  park,  and  a  military  band 
plays  there  evenings.  The  Prado*  is  lined  with 
Handsome  dwellings,  and  in  the  evenings  presents 
a  gay  scene. 

Havana  is  full  of  excellent  restaurants,  whose 
number  has  of  course  not  diminished  since  the  ad 
vent  of  the  American  invaders.  Prices  are  pretty 
high  sometimes,  but  still  a  fair  meal  can  be  obtained 
at  a  fair  price  if  a  little  discrimination  is  practiced. 

The  means  of  transportation   consist  of  hacks, 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  99 

volantes,  and  horse  cars.  The  last-named  proceed 
in  a  very  leisurely  manner  and  quite  independently 
of  any  time  schedule.  The  tariff  for  hacks  is  quite 
moderate. 

A  striking  feature  in  Havana  is  the  number  of 
bells.  Hardly  has  day  begun  to  break  when  the 
ear  is  startled  by  the  loud  ringing  of  bells  from 
every  part  of  the  town.  Large  and  small,  bass  and 
treble,  they  toll  out  from  every  part  of  the  city,  giv 
ing  the  idea  to  the  stranger  that  a  general  confla 
gration  has  broken  out.  Every  church  has  its 
tower,  sometimes  two  or  three,  and  each  tower 
half  a  dozen  bells,  no  two  of  which  sound  alike,  and 
every  bell-ringer  seems  to  be  doing  his  level  best 
co  drown  the  sounds  made  by  the  others. 

Obispo  Street  is  the  main  mercantile  street,  and 
very  interesting.  It  is  full  of  handsome  stores,  all 
fully  open  to  the  street,  and  runs  right  out  to  the 
old  walls  of  the  city,  where  egress  is  gained  by 
means  of  the  gates  of  Puertas  de  Monserrate; 
extending  at  the  other  end  down  to  the  Caballeria 
quay  at  the  waterside. 

Looking  down  Obispo  we  see,  occupying  the 
whole  of  a  square,  and  of  grand  proportions  and 
architecture,  the  Captain-General's  palace,  and  on 
the  Plaza  or  public  square  in  front  of  it  is  encamped 
the  Second  United  States  Artillery,  their  white 
tents  and  trim  camp  presenting  a  somewhat  incon 
gruous  appearance  amidst  its  aristocratic  surround 
ings.  At  the  end  of  the  street  is  the  former  palace 
of  the  Coiide  de  Santovenia,  presenting  a  curious 


IOO 


HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 


combination,  all  the  first  floor  being  devoted  to 
shabby-looking  stores  and  offices,  while  the  upper 
stories,  formerly  a  palatial  residence  of  the  Conde, 
are  now  used  as  a  hotel. 

A  point  which  strikes  the   Chicagoan  forcibly 
in  this  old  city  is  that  no  particular  locality  or  local- 


BARRED  WINDOWS. 

ities  seem  devoted  to  the  best  class  of  residences. 
Cheek  by  jowl  with  a  private  dwelling,  with  its 
trim,  well-kept  appearance,  one  finds  a  grimy  look 
ing  warehouse.  People  of  the  wealthiest  class  live 
here,  there,  and  everywhere,  some  upstairs,  some 
down,  some  on  the  ground  floor,  some  over  ware- 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY 


IO1 


houses  and  stores,  in  fact  there  cannot  be  said  to 
be  any  "residence  district"  such  as  we  are  accus 
tomed  to  see  in  the  cities  of  the  United  States. 
Every  house  is  walled  like  a  fort,  the  doors  thick 
enough  to  resist  the  strokes  of  a  battering-  ram, 
while  every  window,  right  away  up  to  the  roof,  is 


ISABEL. 

barred,  as  though  the  occupants  expected  to  be 
called  upon  at  any  moment  to  resist  invasion. 

The  Paseo  Isabel,  a  continuation  of  the  Prado, 
is  a  wide,  well-built  street,  laid  out  with  walks  and 
carriage  drives  on  either  side,  and  extends  away 
out  beyond  the  city  walls.  There  may  be  seen  the 


HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

British,  German,  French  and  other  flags  floating 
over  their  respective  consulates,  while  statues  and 
fountains  occupy  the  center  of  the  broad  road, 
which  is  well  shaded  by  trees. 

Most  of  the  streets  are  exceedingly  narrow,  the 
sidewalks  being  hardly  wide  enough  for  the  passage 
of  a  single  person,  and  the  unfortunate  male  pedes 
trian  finds  himself  stepping  off  into  the  mud  at 
every  second  pace,  to  allow  the  passage  of  some 
senorita,  attended  by  the  inevitable  and  superfluous 
duena. 

In  Cuba  Street  is  the  building  which  was  used 
as  the  headquarters  of  the  artillery  of  the  Spanish 
army,  a  large  brown  stone  building,  several  stories 
in  height,  while  hard  by,  on  Chacon  Street,  is  the 
arsenal.  Down  Tacon  Street  we  find  the  La  Fuer- 
za,  the  oldest  fort  in  Havana,  with  many  traditions 
of  antiquity,  assaults,  and  defenses,  and  attacks 
from  pirates  and  foreign  foes.  It  is  a  star-shaped 
bastioned  fort,  having  a  good  line  of  fire  upon  the 
entrance  and  the  bay,  and  fine  large  barracks  for 
the  troops  close  at  hand.  This  old  fort  dates  back 
to  the  time  of  Ferdinand  de  Soto,  the  conqueror 
of  Florida  and  discoverer  of  the  Mississippi,  who 
while  Governor  of  the  Island  in  1538,  ordered  it 
built.  The  portcullis  and  barracks  were  erected  in 
1718.  Opposite  is  the  Plaza  de  Armas.  Close  by 
is  the  building  formerly  used  as  the  headquarters 
of  the  Military  Governor  of  the  city;  in  the  lower 
part  of  the  same  building  were  the  Royal  Lottery 
Treasury,  and  the  Monte  de  Pieta,  or  Government 
pawn-broking  establishment. 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY 


103 


THE  OLD  CATHEDRAL. 

The  priesthood  and  the  church  have  probably  a 
larger  share  in  the  life  of  the  Cubans,  particularly 
with  the  female  portion,  than  anything  else  that 
goes  to  make  up  the  sum  of  their  life.  One  is  met 
at  almost  every  turn  by  priests  of  various  orders. 

The  principal  church  is  the  cathedral  which  con 
tained  the  ashes  of  Columbus,  which  were  recently 
carried  back  to  Spain,  and  is  on  that  account  an 
interesting  spot  to  Americans,  though  the  church 
itself  possesses  IK>  special  beauty.  Still,  with  its  two 
queer  old  towers,  its  pillars,  niches,  cornices  and 
mouldings,  built  of  brown  stone,  blackened  with 


104          HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

the  years  that  have  elapsed  since  1724,  when  it  was 
erected,  it  is  a  striking  looking  edifice. 

A  very  old  church  is  that  of  San  Juan  de  Dios, 
which  was  built  in  1573,  that  fact  forming  its  sole 
recommendation  to  notice.  The  church  of  San 
Augustine,  on  Cuba  Street,  was  built  in  1608,  and 
possesses  many  handsome  internal  decorations. 
None  of  the  churches  are  provided  with  pews  or 
seats,  as  with  us.  A  few  benches  there  are  used 
only  by  the  men.  The  ladies  carry  with  them  to 
church  a  small  rug,  which  they  unroll  and  place 
upon  the  stone  floor  to  kneel  on, 

Other  churches  are  Santo  Angel,  San  Felipe, 
Santa  Clara,  Belen,  La  Merced,  and  a  number  of 
smaller  ones,  but  except  for  their  varying  degrees 
of  antiquity  and  some  peculiarities  of  architecture, 
they  do  not  possess  any  features  which  differen 
tiate  much  from  those  of  the  churches  already  no 
ticed. 

Baptist,  Methodist,  and  Congregational  churches 
have  been  established  in  the  city,  and  Protestant 
ism  may  now  be  said  to  have  been  planted  in 
the  land,  although  in  a  country  where  Roman 
Catholicism  has  held  sole  sway  for  centuries 
and  has  consequently  struck  deep  root,  it 
would  be  idle  to  suppose  the  churches  will  be 
able  for  years  to  come  to  do  much  more  than  min 
ister  to  the  spiritual  needs  of  the  Americans  and 
Protestant  Europeans  visiting  or  domesticated  in 
the  island. 

The  markets  of  Havana  are  remarkably  good. 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  105 

The  most  convenient  is  the  "Mercado  de  Cristina" 
in  the  Plaza  Vieja,  at  the  corner  of  Teniente  Rey 
Street  and  San  Ygnacio.  The  market  forms  a 
square  faced  by  an  arcade,  which  is  occupied  by 
stores  of  various  kinds,  among  which  "notions"  and 
"fancy  goods"  alternate  with  money-changers' 
stalls,  the  latter  being  very  numerous.  The  interi 
or,  or  plaza,  is  devoted  to  the  sale  of  vegetables  and 
fruit,  in  the  production  of  which  Cuba  stands  sec 
ond  to  no  place  in  the  wodd.  Here  we  see  great 
piles  of  onions,  cabbages,  and  "boniata"  or,  as  we 
know  them  in  the  United  States,  "sweet  potatoes," 
a  staple  article  of  diet  among  the  Cubans;  also 
oranges,  mangos,  pineapples,  bananas,  or  planta- 
nos,  as  they  are  called  here. 

There  are  four  of  these  market-places  in  Havana. 
Besides  the  one  we  have  described  there  is  the 
"Mercado  del  Cristo,"  the  "Tacon,"  named  after 
Cuba's  celebrated  Governor,  the  one  Spanish  Gov 
ernor  whose  memory  is  beloved  by  the  Cubans. 

The  Cuban  fruits  are  exceedingly  delicious,  and, 
when  ripe  and  not  partaken  of  to  excess,  perfectly 
wholesome.  Some  of  them  are  entire  strangers  to 
Americans;  among  these  are  the  "Anon,"  the  "Sa- 
pote,"  and  the  "Mamey  Colorado',"  all  rich,  luscious 
fruits,  for  which  we  are  unacquainted  with  any 
American  name.  The  milk  of  the  green  fruit  of 
the  cocoanut  is  a  distinct  delicacy;  ice-cold,  and  of 
a  most  delicate  flavor,  nothing  can  be  more  refresh 
ing  to  a  thirsty  man. 

On  the  other  side  of  the  town  we  find  the  fish- 


io6 


HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 


market,  or  "Pescaderia."  It  is  a  fine  stone  build 
ing,  supported  by  pillared  arches.  Inside,  instead 
of  tables,  as  in  the  other  markets,  are  square  stone 
slabs  with  tiled  tops,  upon  which  repose  a  great 
variety  of  fish,  among  which  we  recognize  the  bass, 


LITTLE  TEMPLE. 

the  flounder,  and  the  blue-fish.  Young  shark  are 
also  eaten;  only  when  very  young,  however.  The 
Cuban  oyster,  though  of  diminutive  size,  is  very 
good.  Business  in  all  these  markets  seems  to  be 
brisk,  and  if  the  amount  of  gain  is  at  all  commen 
surate  with  the  quantity  of  lively  chatter  which  runs 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  107 

unceasingly,  a  stall  within  a  "Mercado"  must  be  a 
profitable  possession. 

Another  interesting  spot  is  "El  Templete"  or 
"The  Little  Temple,"  on  Ena  Street. 

It  was  here  that  in  1519,  under  an  old  Ceiba  tree, 
the  first  mass  in  Havana  was  celebrated.  The  tra 
dition  of  Columbus'  presence  at  this  mass  is  per 
petuated  by  the  opening  of  the  building  to  the 
public  once  a  year,  on  the  i6th  of  November,  the 
feast  of  San  Cristobal,  when  many  visitors,  mainly 
American,  visit  the  building,  which  contains  a  bust 
of  the  explorer. 

The  finest  quay  in  the  city  is  that  known  as  "El 
Muelle  Caballeria,"  a  busy  scene  of  commerce, 
where  the  merchants  of  Havana  transact  the  major 
part  of  their  business.  These  quays  are  a  feature 
of  Havana,  and  are  among  the  most  spacious  and 
commodious  to  be  found  in  the  world. 


CHAPTER  X 

CHANGING  THE  FLAGS 

January  i,  1899,  is  a  date  never  to  be  forgotten 
in  the  Island  of  Cuba.  After  four  centuries  of  mis- 
gavernment,  Spain  on  that  date  finally  relinquished 
her  authority  and  handed  over  to  the  United  States 
the  trust  which  she  had  proved  herself  so  unworthy 
to  hold.  Great  enthusiasm  prevailed  in  Havana, 


GOVERNOR-GENERAL'S  PALACE. 
108 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  109 

and  the  streets  were  thronged,  but  the  crowds  were 
orderly  and  nothing  occurred  to  mar  the  dignity 
and  impressiveness  of  the  event.  The  whole  Sev 
enth  Army  Corps  was  paraded  to  do  honor  to  the 
occasion,  and  the  difference  between  the  small, 


FLAG  RAISING   ON   MORRO. 

undersized  Spanish  soldiers  and  the  big,  stalwart 
Americans  who  were  replacing  them  excited  won 
dering  remark  from  the  Cuban  crowds.  "Mucho 
grandes  Americanos,"  and  "Muy  grandes  Caballos 
Americanos,"  was  the  universal  exclamation  at  the 
size  of  the  men  and  horses,  the  latter  looking  like 


HO  HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

giants  beside  the  insignificant  ponies  bestridden,  by 
Spaniards  and  Cubans  alike. 

A  special  compliment  was  paid  to  the  Second 
Illinois.  The  unrivaled  band  of  the  regiment  was 
ordered  to  pay  the  proper  compliments  to  the  retir 
ing  Spaniards,  and  under  Mr.  Smith's  able  leader 
ship  excellently  performed  the  duty. 

At  noon,  in  the  great  hall  of  the  palace  at 
Havana,  in  the  names  of  the  King  and  Queen 
Regent  of  Spain,  Captain-General  Castellanos  form 
ally  delivered  the  government  of  the  island  into  the 
hands  of  General  Wade,  the  United  States  repre 
sentative;  General  Wade  then  handed  over  the 
charge  to  General  Brooke,  the  officer  appointed  by 
the  President  to  be  Military  Governor  of  the  Divi 
sion  of  Cuba.  The  gold  and  crimson  flag  of  Spain 
was  lowered  from  the  palace,  El  Morro,  Cabanas, 
and  all  other  fortresses  and  public  buildings,  and 
the  stars  and  stripes  floated  in  its  place. 

The  scene  in  the  palace  was  a  very  striking  one. 
Governor-General  Castellanos,  standing  with  his 
staff  on  the  right  side  of  the  salon  addressed  the 
Evacuation  Commission  as  follows : 

"Gentlemen :  In  accordance  with  the  terms  of 
the  treaty  of  Paris,  the  arrangements  of  this  com 
mission,  and  the  orders  of  my  King,  I  surrender 
to  you  the  sovereignty  of  Cuba,  in  order  that  you 
may  exercise  it  henceforward. 

"In  doing  so  I  wish  to  say  that  the  generals  of 
the  American  army  will  meet  with  all  the  respect 
due  them  from  myself  and  my  officers,  and  that  I 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  I 


OLD  GLORY   ON    MORRO   CASTLE. 

trust  that  the  cordial  understanding  at  present 
existing  between  our  armies  will  continue  until  all 
the  forces  under  my  command  have  evacuated  the 
island." 

After  receiving  the  governorship  from  General 
Wade,  General  Brooke  replied  to  General  Castel- 
lanos : 

"In  the  name  of  the  United  States  and  our  Presi 
dent,  I  accept  the  sovereignty  of  Cuba.  I  wish  you 
and  the  gallant  gentlemen  with  you  a  safe  return  to 
your  own  country." 

General  Castellanos  then  bowed  and  retired  to 
his  own  apartments,  where  he  held  a  reception  of 
his  officers.  He  took  leave  of  them  with  much 
emotion.  "Men,"  he  said,  the  tears  starting  to  his 
eyes,  "I  have  fought  in  as  many  battles  as  there  are 


112 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  H3 

hairs  on  my  head,  but  never  until  to-day  did  my 
courage  desert  me.  Adios!"  He  embraced  the 
officers  in  Spanish  fashion,  and  descended  to  the 
Plaza,  escorted  by  General  Chaffee.  As  he  crossed 
the  Plaza  some  American  ladies  in  the  balcony  of 
the  government  building  waved  their  handkerchiefs 
to  the  fallen  chief  who  was  exhibiting  so  much  dig 
nity  in  his  reverse.  The  general  kissed  his  hand  in 
return  with  Castilian  courtliness.  There  is  cer 
tainly  no  nation  the  superior  of  the  Spanish  in  the 
polish  of  manner,  which  causes  grace  of  action  even 
at  the  most  trying  time.  This  had  been  remarked 
by  our  men  before.  The  cool,  impassive  demeanor 
of  the  soldiers  who  stood  saluting  as  our  conquer 
ing  columns  defiled  past  them  had  caused  favorable 
comment,  and  it  must  also  be  remarked  that  the 
bearing  of  our  own  officers  and  men  at  no  time 
showed  anything  of  the  arrogance  of  the  conqueror 
toward  the  vanquished,  but  rather  the  generous 
forbearance  of  an  enemy  who  respected  a  brave  but 
fallen  foe.  As  soon  as  the  war  was  over  bitter  feel 
ings  appeared  to  die  out  as  the  clouds  leave  the  sky 
after  a  summer  storm;  in  fact,  the  officers  and  sol 
diers  of  both  armies  seemed  ready  to  fraternize. 
After  all,  it  was  felt  the  lower  officers  and  soldiers 
were  little  to>  blame  in  the  events  which  led  to  the 
war.  Conscripted  without  their  own  will  and  comr 
pelled  to  serve,  they  were  as  little  responsible  for 
the  acts  they  performed  under  the  orders  of  their 
superiors  as  a  locomotive  that  responds  to  the  hand 
of  the  engineer  is  for  the  errors  of  the  train  de- 


114  HISTORY    OF    THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

spatcher.  Then  again,  to  the  great  bulk  of  the 
Spanish  army  the  idea  of  a  speedy  return  to  their 
native  shores  came  as  a  relief.  Disheartened  by 
their  enforced  residence  under  unfavorable  condi 
tions  in  a  country  thousands  of  miles  from  their 


RETURN  FROM^MORRO,  JANUARY  i,  1899. 

homes;  unpaid,  half  fed,  under  a  stern  discipline, 
very  many  of  them  with  shattered  health,  weary  of 
the  thankless  task  of  fighting  against  a  people 
speaking  their  own  language,  and  largely  sprung 
from  their  own  blood,  small  wonder  that  they  hailed 
with  joy  the  prospect  of  release  from  a  galling  and 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY 


detested  bondage.  All  these  causes  combined  to 
minimize  any  friction  that  might  otherwise  have 
arisen,  and  the  Americans  and  Spaniards  parted  on 
much  more  amicable  terms  and  with  much  better 
opinions  of  one  another  than  the  intense  bitterness 
existing  before  and  during  the  war  would  have  led 
anyone  to  expect. 

While  all  this  was  happening  in  Havana,  similar 
ceremonies  on  a  smaller  scale  were  proceeding  else 
where  on  the  island.  In  one  of  them  the  Second 
Illinois  Regiment  was  playing  a  conspicuous  part, 
and,  as  was  invariably  the  case,  performed  its  as- 


GENERAL  GOMEZ. 


n6 


HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 


MAJOR  DUSENBERRY. 

signed  task  in  a  manner  to  call  forth  commendation. 
On  December  29th,  Major  William  P.  Dusenberry, 
commanding  the  Second  Battalion  of  the  regiment, 
received  orders  from  Headquarters  Seventh  Army 
Corps  to  prepare  his  command  to  proceed  the  fol 
lowing  morning  to  Cienfuegos,  on  the  southern 
coast  of  Cuba,  about  two  hundred  miles  south  from 
Havana.  His  instructions  were  to>  take  charge  of 
the  city,  to  superintend  the  evacuation  and  sur 
render  of  the  Spanish  forces;  the  lowering  of  the 
Snanish  flag,  and  the  hoisting  of  the  stars  and  stripes 
in  its  stead;  and  the  establishment  of  a  new  regime 


HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 


117 


of  authority.  This  assignment  was  regarded  as  a 
high  honor  to  Major  Dusenberry  and  his  command. 
Grave  questions  and  responsibilities  were  involved 
in  the  carrying  out  of  the  instructions,  responsibili 
ties  rarely  confided  to  regimental  officers. 

The  Second  Battalion  were  busy  the  night  of  the 


SECOND   BATTALIONJLEN  [.ROUTE]  TOICIENFUEGOS. 

29th  packing  and  making  all  ready  for  an  early 
start.  At  i  a.  m.  on  the  3Oth  they  were  astir,  and 
a  hasty  breakfast  was  partaken  of  at  2  a.  m.  At 
4 150  the  command  marched  to  the  town  of  Cerro, 
where  it  was  to  take  the  train.  It  was  not  until 
10:45,  however,  that  a  train  with  two  coaches  for 
the  officers  and  ten  box  cars  for  the  soldiers,  put  in 


GENERAL  BLANCO. 
118 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  1 19 

an  appearance.  The  accommodation  was  of  the 
poorest  possible  kind,  but  that  was  no  new  experi 
ence  for  the  boys  of  the  Second  Illinois,  and  excited 
little  comment. 

The  way  lay  through  three  provinces,  Havana, 
Matanzas,  and  Santa  Clara;  the  scenery  being  very 
grand,  particularly  in  the  last-named  province. 
Fertile  plains  alternated  with  rugged  hills,  deep 
valleys  with  lofty  mountains;  in  some  places  the 
train  would  be  passing  through  deep  ravines,  the 
sides  of  which  towered  many  feet  above  the  cars. 
Royal  palms  stood  up  in  their  lofty  dignity  and 
grace  all  along  the  route  traversed. 

The  first  halt  was  at  Aguacate,  and  the  people 
turned  out  to  welcome  the  Americans.  Several 
hundred  Cuban  soldiers,  both  infantry  and  cavalry, 
were  lined  up  at  the  depot,  and  a  salute  was  fired 
from  a  howitzer  as  the  officers  of  our  battalion  fol 
lowed  General  Rego  to  the  platform,  where  the 
general  made  a  cordial  speech  of  welcome.  A  few 
moments  more  and  the  train  was  again  on  the  move 
arriving  at  Matanzas  at  2  130  p.  m.  Many  Spanish 
soldiers  were  still  at  this  place,  and  our  boys  were 
much  interested  in  observing  the  effects  of  the 
bombardment  by  the  New  York,  Brooklyn,  Cin 
cinnati,  and  Oregon.  The  shells  of  the  warships 
had  made  terrible  havoc,  nearly  every  house  within 
the  zone  of  fire  being  leveled  with  the  ground.  At 
Jovellanos  and  Perico  more  demonstrations  of  wel 
come  greeted  the  troops,  and  at  3  a.  m.  the  train 
rolled  into  Cienfuegos,  the  "City  of  One  Hundred 


120  HISTORY    OF    THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

Fires/'  as  its  name  signifies.  Here  the  troops 
bivouacked  until  dawn,  when  the  other  section  of 
the  train,  under  command  of  Captain  Garrity,  bear 
ing  tents  and  baggage,  arrived,  and  pitching  camp 
on  a  beautiful  site  at  Chuchu,  Candellaria,  three 
miles  from  the  city,  the  boys  turned  in  for  a  good 
rest,  thoroughly  tired  out  with  their  long  and  event 
ful  ride. 

The  battalion  was  composed  of  Company  H, 
under  Captain  Garrity,  Company  F,  under  Captain 
Stansfield,  Company  E,  under  Captain  Nuss- 
baumer,  and  Company  G,  under  Lieutenant  May- 
eskie,  Captain  McFeely,  of  the  last-named  com 
pany,  being  absent  sick. 

After  a  good  sleep  the  boys  were  as  bright  as 
buttons,  Major  Dusenberry's  care  in  making  all  due 
provision  for  their  welfare  during  the  journey  bear 
ing  good  fruit  in  the  freshness  and  fitness  for  duty 
of  the  command.  The  camp  was  situated  along 
one  of  the  famous  trochas,  known  as  the  Trocha 
de  Cienfuegos,  twenty  miles  long,  extending  com 
pletely  around  the  city.  Along  the  line  were  sta 
tioned  at  short  intervals  block  houses,  connected 
with  barb  wire  entanglements  and  ditches  five  feet 
deep.  The  line  was  still  occupied  by  Spanish 
infantry,  and  the  positions  were  well  chosen  and 
very  strong. 

Major  Dusenberry  proceeded  to  the  city  and 
immediately  prepared  the  following  pithy  procla 
mation,  which  was  issued  January  ist,  12  m. : 


122  HISTORY    OF    THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

ClENFUEGOS,   CUBA. 

12  o'clock  m.,  January  ist,  1899. 

By  the  authority  vested  in  me  by  His  Excellency, 
the  Hon.  William  McKinley,  -President  of  the 
United  States,  the  undersigned  hereby  assumes 
military  control  of  the  City  of  Cienfuegos,  Cuba. 
Pending  the  departure  of  the  Spanish  troops,  Gen 
eral  Ernesto  Aguirre  de  Bengoa  has  kindly  offered 
to  maintain  the  service  of  the  Civil  Guards  to  pre 
serve  order  in  the  forces  in  his  command,  which 
offer  I  have  accepted  with  pleasure. 
(Signed)  WM.  P.  DUSENBERRY, 

Major  Second  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry. 

Commanding. 

This  proclamation  was  issued  in  Spanish  and 
English. 

The  task  of  selecting  and  appointing  a  mayor, 
supreme  judge,  postmaster,  and  counselors  de 
volved  upon  Major  Dusenberry,  and  presented  con 
siderable  difficulty,  inasmuch  as  the  time  available 
was  so  short  in  which  to  gain  information  as  to  their 
fitness  and  qualifications,  A  committee,  of  which 
Captain  Amando  Paggi  was  chairman,  came  to  see 
Major  Dusenberry,  seeking  permission  to  parade 
500  Cuban  soldiers  at  the  ceremonies  of  raising  the 
stars  and  stripes,  but  during  an  interview,  lasting 
two  hours,  he  failed  to  obtain  the  necessary  author 
ity,  which  the  major  declined  to  grant,  being*  con 
vinced  that  the  relations  were  too  strained  between 
Cubans  and  Spaniards  to  render  such  a  course 
either  desirable  or  safe. 

The  Spanish  general,  Don  Ernesto  Aguirre  de 
Bengoa,  a  fine  gentleman  and  soldier,  acceded  at 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY 


I23 


CUSTOM   HOUSE,  CIENFUEGOS,  JANUARY  i,  1899. 

once  to  the  major's  request  that  no  officers  or  sol 
diers  of  his  command,  either  collectively  or  as 
individuals,  should  enter  the  city  on  the  occasion; 
an  undertaking  that  was  scrupulously  observed. 

On  January  ist,  at  10:30  a.  m.,  the  battalion  pro 
ceeded  to  the  city  by  train,  passing  on  the  way  an 
old  sugar  mill,  used  as  a  barracks  by  the  Spanish 
troops. 

Arrived  in  the  city,  the  Americans  were  greeted 
by  an  enormous  multitude  who  shouted  themselves 
hoarse  with  "Vivas."  Drawn  up  along  the  street 
as  they  debarked  was  a  detachment  of  Marines  and 


124  HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

bluejackets  from  the  United  States  warship  "May 
flower,"  which  had  arrived  on  the  evening  of  De 
cember  3  ist,  and  was  lying  in  the  harbor. 

By  special  invitation  from  Major  Dusenberry,  the 
officers  joined  his  staff  and  the  marines  formed  on 
the  left  of  the  battalion  and  marched  to  the  custom 
house  on  the  bay  front.  The  troops  were  formed 
in  front  of  the  custom  house,  facing  it,  the  naval 
detachment  being  placed  at  right  angles  to  the  left 
of  the  line,  facing  inwards. 

Lack  of  space  in  the  square  rendered  this  forma 
tion  necessary. 

Captain  Barker  furnished  the  flag  and  delivered  it 
to  Lieutenant  Bernard  J.  Burnes,  acting  battalion 
quartermaster,  who,  with  a  color  guard  consisting 
of  Corporal  .Furling,  and  Privates  Faitz,  Wideman, 
and  Alsop,  of  Company  H,  escorted  it  to  the  bal 
cony  of  the  custom  house,  where  it  was  folded  under 
the  directions  of  Major  Dusenberry.  Lieutenant 
Garwood  made  fast  the  flag  to  the  halyards,  and 
presented  it  to  the  major  to  raise,  but  on  examina 
tion  the  latter  found  that  it  had  been  attached  union 
downward;  he  caused  the  error  to  be  rectified, 
directing  the  flag  to  be  so  attached  that  it  would 
rise  in  a  ball  to  the  top  of  the  flagstaff,  and  then,  at 
a  quick  jerk  of  the  lines,  unfurl.  A  hush  of  expec 
tancy  fell  upon  the  watching  crowd,  to  be  suc 
ceeded  a  moment  after  by  a  perfect  frenzy  of  cheer 
ing,  as  at  the  appointed  time  the  troops  were 
brought  to  the  "present"  and  Major  Dusenberry 
hoisted  the  flag  to  the  head  of  the  flagstaff,  where 


POSTMASTER  AT  CIENFUEGOS. 


125 


126          HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

Old  Glory  floated  out  amid  a  fresh  burst  of  ap 
plause.  Later,  under  the  direction  of  Major 
Dusenberry,  flags  were  raised  over  the  postoffice 
and  the  city  hall.  The  "Mayflower"  fired  a  salute 
of  twenty-one  guns,  and  Cienfuegos  was  under  the 
stars  and  stripes. 

Company  G  remained  at  the  custom  house,  Com 
pany  E  at  the  postoffice,  and  Company  F  at  the 
city  hall,  to  guard  the  flags  and  lower  them  at  re 
treat,  while  Company  H  went  on  duty  as  provost 
guard.  To  Captain  Garrity  was  entrusted  the 
temporary  charge  of  all  military  mail  in  the  prov 
ince.  Captain  Stansfield  was  in  charge  at  "Camp 
Williston,"  as  the  encampment  had  been  christened. 

Congratulations  came  pouring  in  by  wire  from 
all  parts  of  Santa  Clara  province,  and  many  ex 
pressions  of  gratitude  were  received  from  leading 
citizens  of  Santa  Clara, 

But  the  military  ceremonies  formed  but  a  minor 
part  of  the  business  necessary  to  be  performed. 
The  Spanish  officials  declined  to  serve  under  the 
new  regime.  The  mayor,  the  supreme  judge,  the 
postmaster,  and  all  of  the  council,  save  one,  a  Senor 
Pedro  Modesto  Hernandez,  resigned  their  offices, 
and  Major  Dusenberry  made  the  necessary  appoint 
ments,  pro  tempore,  to  fill  their  places.  After  the 
flag  raising,  Major  Dusenberry  proceeded  at  once 
to  the  city  hall  and  administered  to  the  newly 
appointed  officers  the  following  oath  of  allegiance : 

"You  solemnly  swear  that  you  entirely  renounce 
and  abjure  all  allegiance  and  fidelity  to  the  King  of 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  '27 

Spain,  or  to  any  other  foreign  prince,  state  or  sov 
ereignty  whatever,  and  that  you  are  a  resident  of 
Cienfuegos,  Cuba,  That  you  will  support  the  con 
stitution  of  the  United  States,  and  such  officers  as 
may  be  placed  over  you,  and  the  laws  governing  the 
military  force".  "So  help  me  God." 

On  the  arrival  of  General  J.  C.  Bates  with  the 
Sixth  Ohio,  the  battalion  was  relieved  from  its 
duties,  and  on  January  nth  proceeded  to  rejoin, 
being  escorted  to  the  depot  by  the  band  of  the 
Sixth  Ohio,  arriving  at  headquarters  January 
1 3th.  All  the  official  acts  performed  by  Major 
Dusenberry,  during  his  brief  administration  of  the 
office  of  military  governor,  received  the  fullest 
approbation  and  sanction  of  the  general. 

The  return  of  the  Second  Battalion  to  headquar 
ters  was  almost  synchronous  with  that  of  Colonel 
Moulton,  who  had  just  relinquished  the  command 
of  the  Havana  police  force.  Forming  his  com 
mand  in  front  of  the  colors,  Major  Dusenberry 
formally  reported  his  return  to  the  Colonel,  receiv 
ing  in  reply  a  few  well  chosen  words  of  commenda 
tion  for  a  service  well  performed. 

Major  Dusenberry  made  many  friends  among  the 
leading  citizens  of  Cienfuegos,  one  of  whom  after 
ward  sent  him  the  gift  of  a  handsome  Spanish  flag 
as  a  memento  of  this  interesting  and  memorable 
occasion. 


CHAPTER  XI 

CAMP   COLUMBIA 

The  stay  of  the  regiment  in  Camp  Columbia  was, 
on  the  whole,  an  extremely  monotonous  experi 
ence.  Passes  were  so  sparingly  granted,  especially 
at  first,  that  the  soldiers,  who  were  very  anxious  to 
get  out  of  camp  and  see  what  the  country  was  like, 
chafed  considerably  under  the  restraint.  It  had 
been  expected  that  the  Second  Illinois  would  be 
assigned  to  provost  guard  duty  in  the  city  of 
Havana,  but  regular  regiments  were  preferred  for 
that  duty.  An  unfortunate  choice,  as  it  turned  out, 
for  the  regulars  who  were  detailed  for  this  purpose 
were  composed  almost  entirely  of  raw  recruits  with 
an  average  service  of  two  or  three  months,  un- 
drilled,  undisciplined,  and  much  inferior  in  every 
respect  to  any  volunteer  regiment  in  the  Seventh 
Army  Corps,  while  their  constitutions  being  unac- 
climated  they  soon  showed  a  higher  sick  rate  than 
the  volunteers  who  had  been  seasoned  by  nine 
months  camping  in  the  South. 

The  tents  furnished  were  excellent,  and  gave 
ample  room  for  the  number  of  men  to  whom  they 
were  assigned.  They  were  of  the  hospital  pattern, 
14  feet  by  14  feet,  and  were  eventually  to  a  consid 
erable  extent  fitted  with  floors,  although  the  nig- 

128 


I29 


HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

gardliness  of  the  supply  of  lumber  vouchsafed  did 
not  admit,  even  up  to  the  time  of  leaving-  Cuba,  of 
all  the  tents  being  so  provided.  Fortunately,  the 
regiment  left  Cuba  before  the  rainy  season  was  well 
under  way  or  the  consequences  would  have  been 
serious.  The  rainy  season  in  that  country  is  some 
thing  of  which  Americans  have  no  conception. 
Fifteen  minutes  of  such  rain  causes  a  flood,  and 
when  this  continues  hour  after  hour,  arfd  day  after 
day,  it  may  readily  be  supposed  that  life  under  can 
vas  would  speedily  cause  a  large  amount  of  mortal 
ity.  Troops  can  only  be  maintained  with  any  de 
gree  of  health  at  this  season  when  quartered  within 
houses,  and  it  is  matter  of  great  congratulation  that 
the  Second  Illinois  received  their  notice  to  quit 
before  the  rains  set  in.  As  it  was,  the  critical 
period  was  allowed  to  approach  dangerously  close, 
and  the  medical  authorities  became  very  anxious 
about  the  outlook. 

Certainly  a  prettier  camp  than  Camp  Columbia 
could  hardly  be  found.  The  site  at  first  chosen 
was  not  well  calculated  for  convenience,  as  the 
pipes  that  had  been  laid  to  supply  the  camp  with 
water  were  on  the  reverse  side  to  the  cook  houses, 
so  that  it  was  necessary  to  convey  all  the  water 
right  through  the  camp  to  the  places  where  it  was 
to  be  used.  A  few  days  afterward,  however,  a 
change  of  base  was  effected,  the  camp  being,  as  it 
were,  countermarched,  achieving  a  more  common- 
sense  result.  The  large,  handsome  marquees  were 
laid  out  in  the  exact  perfectly-dressed  lines  for 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  131 

which  the  Second  Illinois  was  noted.  The  ample 
space  allotted  admitted  of  wide  streets,  which  the 
taste  and  ingenuity  of  ^  the  men  seemed  never  to 
tire  of  adorning.  White  sand  from  the  seashore 
was  utilized  to  form  sidewalks  before  the  tents. 


PETS. 

bordered  by  rows  of  the  petrified  sponges,  which 
abound  along  this  coast.  Palm  trees  and  huge 
cacti  were  transplanted  and  formed  into  picturesque 
avenues.  At  the  head  of  each  street  was  a  design, 
according  to  the  taste  and  fancy  of  the  artists,  in 
dicating  the  company  to  which  it  belonged.  The 
officers'  lines  were  laid  out  with  no  less  taste  and 


I32          HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

symmetry.  First  the  company  officers'  street,  then 
the  field  officers,  then  the  staff,  with  the  colors  fly 
ing  in  the  center  before  the  tent  of  the  commanding 
officer.  With  the  blue  sea  on  the  o>ne  hand  and  a 
landscape  of  tropical  beauty  all  around,  the  ensem 
ble  formed  a  matchless  coup  d'oeil  worth  traveling 
far  for,  and  old  campaigners  pronounced  it  to  ex 
ceed  anything  in  their  experience. 

But  lovely  though  the  surroundings  were,  the 
men  had  not  come  there  simply  to  enjoy  scenery, 
and  as  week  after  week  wore  on  without  furnishing 
any  more  exciting  episodes  than  guards,  drills, 
parades,  and  interminable  fatigues,  the  men  fretted 
and  \vorried  over  their  forced  inaction.  Monotony 
is  a  soldier's  bugbear.  Keep  him  occupied  with  a 
varying  range  of  duties,  and  he  is  content.  But 
the  same  old  thing  every  day  palls.  It  must  be 
remembered  that  the  distractions  possessed  by  the 
civilian  are  denied  to  the  soldier.  The  daily  toil 
of  the  former  may  be  unchanging,  but  evening 
brings  a  respite  and  he  is  free  for  social  amusement 
or  any  kind  of  recreation  his  soul  may  crave.  To 
the  soldier  in  camp  though,  day  brings  work,  night 
brings  sleep,  and  anything  to  break  the  deadly  dull 
ness  is  eagerly  craved.  Such  an  occasion  as  the 
flag-raising  ceremony,  before  described,  is  an  event 
which  has  a  markedly  good  result;  it  furnishes  a 
topic  of  conversation  for  days,  and  relieves  the  feel 
ing  of  ennui.  Newspapers  and  periodicals,  and 
above  all,  letters  from  loved  ones  in  "God's  Coun 
try"  are  a  great  help.  But  though  the  kindness  of 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER   INFANTRY  133 

friends  had  furnished  us  amply  with  papers  and 
magazines  while  within  the  confines  of  the  United 
States,  the  supply  fell  woefully  short  in  Cuba,  and 
reading  matter  of  any  kind  was  sought  for  with 
avidity,  and  passed  from  hand  to  hand  until  fairly 
worn  out  by  wear  and  tear. 

Sea-bathing  at  La  Plaza  de  Marianas,  a  village 
about  two  miles  distant,  was  a  favorite  diversion  of 
such  of  the  men  as  could  obtain  the  necessary  leave 
from  camp.  The  beach  was  simply  perfect. 
Smooth  sand  shelving  rapidly  downward  enabled 
one  to  walk  into  a  fair  depth  of  water  in  a  few 
paces,  while  a  jetty  close  at  hand  formed  an  excel 
lent  diving  stage  for  swimmers.  A  number  of 
dressing  rooms  with  cement  floors,  which  had  been 
erected  during  the  palmy  days  of  La  Playa  when 
the  village  was  a  favorite  resort  of  visitors  from 
Havana,  still  existed  in  fairly  good  repair. 

On  the  other  side  of  the  camp,  about  a  mile  dis 
tant,  lie  the  two  large  suburban  villages  of  Quema- 
dos  and  Marianas,  where  Company  L,  under  Cap 
tain  Swatek,  and  Company  C,  under  Captain  Mair, 
were  stationed  for  some  time  doing  duty  as  provost 
guards.  Passes  were  more  easily  obtainable  for 
these  places  than  for  Havana,  and  were  in  great 
demand.  The  two  villages  adjoin,  and  really  form 
one  town  with  two  railway  depots.  There  are  a 
number  of  handsome  residences,  some  remarkably 
so,  this  being  a  place  of  summer  resort  for  the 
wealthier  classes  of  Havana,  who  come  out  to  this 
comparatively  cool  and  airy  situation  to  avoid  the 


HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 


BONES  OF  THE   POOR. 

long  heated  term  of  the  tropical  summer.  The 
main  street  is  made  up  of  country  stores,  small 
posadas,  and  numerous  fruit  stores.  At  the  end 
of  the  street  crossing  the  brook  is  a  long  and  well- 
built  stone  bridge,  composed  of  a  single  arch  which 
rises  eighty  feet  above  the  stream  below,  which, 
except  during  the  rainy  season,  is  nearly  dry,  but 
becomes  at  that  time  a  furious  torrent. 

Near  La  PI  ay  a  is  a  typical  Cuban  cemetery.  In 
Cuba  one  does  not  buy  a  burial  lot,  but  hires  it  for 
five  years,  paying  in  advance.  If  at  the  end  of  that 
period  the  rent  for  five  more  years  is  not  forthcom- 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY 


'35 


ing,  the  remains  are  dug  up  and  thrown,  uncovered, 
into  a  corner  of  the  graveyard,  where  the  bones  lie 
in  a  mingled  heap,  a  very  repulsive  sight,  which  it 
may  be  hoped  a  better  government  of  the  island 
will  soon  abolish. 

Of  course,  wherever  soldiers  are  to  be  found,  they 
accumulate  pets.  The  band  possessed  a  handsome 
St.  Bernard  dog,  one  of  the  largest  and  most  digni 
fied  of  his  kind,  who  had  left  his  home  at  Savannah, 
and  placed  himself  voluntarily  under  the  protection 
of  Mr.  Smith's  boys.  Every  company  had  its  mas 
cot,  dogs  usually  filling  the  position.  In  Jackson- 


REGIMENTAL    MEAT   MARKET. 


I3  HISTORY    OF    THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

ville  certainly  some  companies  possessed  pigs  for 
pets,  but  for  some  reason  they  never  attained  to  a 
great  age.  Cats  were  very  scarce,  but  several  par 
rots  found  homes  with  the  boys. 

A  butcher  shop  was  in  operation  where  the  meat, 
after  having  been  drawn  in  bulk  from  the  commis 
sary  department,  was  cut  up  and  distributed  to  the 
various  company  messes.  This  institution  was 
managed  by  Private  Nehlsen,  Company  M,  under 
the  direction  of  Captain  Thompson,  regimental 
commissary,  except  during  the  period  that  officer 
was  detached  for  duty  on  the  Havana  police  force, 
when,  in  addition  to  the  regimental  treasurership, 
involving  supervision  of  the  exchange,  the  bakery, 
and  the  regimental  fund,  Captain  McFadden  as 
sumed  the  office,  being  assisted  by  Commissary 
Sergeant  Armstrong.  The  Regimental  hospital, 
under  charge  of  Major  Marquis,  the  surgeon,  with 
whom  were  Lieutenants  Porter  and  Bath,  assistant 
surgeons,  was  situated  on  the  north  side  of  the 
camp.  Here  were  sent  all  the  men  whose  names 
were  entered  on  the  sick  book,  to  be  examined.  If 
seriously  ill  they  would  then  be  forwarded  to  the 
division  hospital,  if  not,  their  cases  would  be  met 
by  admission  into  the  regimental  hospital,  or  by 
treatment  in  their  quarters.  Mrs.  Moulton's  con 
valescent  ward,  which  had  done  such  yeoman  ser 
vice  in  Jacksonville,  still  remained  as  an  adjunct  to 
the  hospital,  but  fortunately  its  usefulness  was  not 
tested  so  severely  as  it  had  been  at  that  station. 
Hospital  Stewards  Barcal,  Adams  and  Daniels,  and 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY 


137 


Private  Walter  Krembs  proved  able  assistants  to 
the  medical  officers,  the  latter  officiating  as  statisti 
cal  clerk,  and  being  the  active  agent  in  promoting 
the  Camp  Fire  Association.  A  handsome  ambu 
lance,  presented  by  Mrs.  L.  Z.  Leiter,  of  Chicago, 


REGIMENTAL  HOSPITAL  IN  CUBA. 

came  to  the  regiment  at  this  station,  the  public 
spirit  of  that  generous  lady  being  fully  appreciated 
by  the  boys. 

The  headquarters  office,  under  the  direction  of 
First  Lieutenant  Frank  W.  Mechener,  acting  adju 
tant,  ably  assisted  by  Sergeant-Major  Joseph  R. 
Krueser,  gained  an  excellent  reputation  for  the 
regiment  by  its  business-like  and  careful  adminis 
tration,  which  excited  the  admiration  of  inspecting 


!3S          HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

officers,  and  reflected  great  credit  on  the  staff  of  the 
office.  Sergeant-Major  Krueser,  who  succeeded 
Sergeant-Major  Peter  Osmar  on  the  retirement  of 
the  latter,  presented,  with  his  lofty  stature  and  fine 


REGIMENTAL  MAIL  WAGON. 

figure,  an  appearance  on  parade  as  handsome  as  his 
services  in  the  office  were  efficient,  and  attracted 
wide-eyed  admiration  from  the  small-sized  Cubans, 
male  and  female. 

Hard  by  the  headquarters  tent  was  the  post- 
office,  presided  over  by  the  chaplain,  Rev.  Dr.  H. 
W.  Bolton,  ably  seconded  by  his  untiring  assistant, 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER   INFANTRY  139 

Private  Charles  J.  Smith,  of  Company  B,  who*  de 
serves  the  greatest  credit  for  his  never-failing  punc 
tuality,  attention  to  duty,  and  courteous  replies  to 
all  the  manifold  and  various  demands  made  upon 
him.  Smith  and  his  mail  wagon  were  the  center  of 
interest  every  day  about  3  p.  m.,  and  upon  Smith's 
devoted  head  fell  all  the  maledictions  called  for  by 
the  non-arrival  of  anxiously  expected  letters. 

Few  men  in  the  volunteer  army  so  well  fulfilled 
their  duties  as  the  quartermaster  of  the  Second 
Illinois,  Captain  Frederick  W.  Laas.  Of  fine  sol 
dierly  appearance,  well  set-up,  and  an  excellent 
horseman,  no  one  would  have  ever  dreamed  that 
the  Captain  brought  to  his  difficult  duties  no  pre 
vious  knowledge  of  active  service.  Yet  so  is  was, 
but  some  men  seem  to  fulfill  intuitively  the  needs  of 
any  office  to  which  they  may  be  appointed,  and 
such  a  man  was  Captain  Laas.  In  the  duties  of  his 
department  he  was  faithfully  assisted  by  Quarter 
master-Sergeant  William  A.  Saunders,  successor  to 
Quartermaster-Sergeant  John  McFarlane,  whose 
unfortunate  illness,  contracted  through  his  over 
work  and  exposure  at  Jacksonville,  had  rendered 
him  physically  unfit  to  continue  in  the  service. 

But  the  honors  for  good  work  and  faithful  per 
formance  of  duty  were  not  confined  to  military  men. 
The  big  tent  between  the  lines  of  the  One  Hundred 
and  Sixty-first  Indiana  and  ours  lightened  many  an 
hour  that  otherwise  would  have  hung  heavy  on  the 
hands  of  the  boys.  Under  the  auspices  of  the 
Secretary  of  the  Regimental  Branch  of  the  Y.  M. 


HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 


YOUNG    MEN'S   CHRISTIAN  ASSOCIATION  TENT    AND   BAND   STAND 

C.  A.,  entertainments  of  various  kinds,  week-day 
religious  services,  and  lectures,  in  which  the  institu 
tion  met  with  hearty  support  at  the  hands  of  the 
Chaplain,  lent  color  to  the  monotony  of  camp  life. 
Mr.  Chapin,  the  secretary,  met  with  the  common 
lot  in  the  shape  of  an  attack  of  sickness,  but  was 
quickly  back  at  his  duties,  his  performance  of  which 
had  the  approbation  of  the  boys,  among-  whom  he 
made  many  friends.  On  Sundays  the  big  tent  be 
came  the  regimental  church,  where  the  services, 
brightened  by  the  music  of  the  regimental  band, 
formed  a  home-like  oasis  in  the  desert  of  soldiering, 
and  were  greatly  appreciated. 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  141 

A  fine  stable  of  horses  was  a  feature  of  the  Sec 
ond  Illinois  camp.  The  Colonel's  two  chargers, 
"Don"  and  "Dan,"  Lieutenant-Colonel  Hotchkiss' 
"Roy,"  Major  Dusenberry's  "Dick,"  Major  Purin- 
ton's  "Charley,"  Major  Marquis'  "Poley,"  Quarter 
master  Laas'  "Nellie,"  the  Chaplain's  "Cowboy," 
Captain  Thompson's  "Duke,"  "Victor,"  and  "Rose 
bud,"  Lieutenant  Porters'  "Fitzhugh  Lee,"  Lieu 
tenant  Mechener's  "Dick,"  Lieutenant  Scheying's 
"Baby,"  formed  an  aggregation  of  steeds  of  which 
any  organization  might  well  be  proud.  Major 
Stuart's  fine  animal,  "King  Hill,"  was  away  with 
his  master  on  detached  special  service,  and  Captain 


REGIMENTAL  STABLES. 


142 


HISTORY    OF   THE   SECOND    REGIMENT 


Sherwin  and  his  horse,  "Harry,"  turned  their  faces 
homeward  on  the  regiment  coming  to  Cuba.  The 
regimental  hostlers,  though  at  first  many  of  them 
were  green  to  their  duties,  rapidly  developed  into 
efficient  grooms.  One  of  them,  Meyer  Bass,  of 


REGIMENTAL  TEAMSTERS. 

Company  B,  was  a  somewhat  remarkable  character. 
Though  by  no  means  a  large  man,  he  possessed  the 
muscular  strength  of  three  men,  and  was  commonly 
known  as  "Sandow." 

Several  of  the  wives  of  the  officers  of  the  regi 
ment,  braving  the  hardships  of  camp  life  and  the 
terrors  of  seasickness,  accompanied  the  regiment, 
to  share  the  privations  of  their  husbands  and  dis 
gust  the  bachelors  with  their  lonely  lot.  Very 
inappropriately  they  named  their  small  colony 


H4  HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

"Sunset  Row,"  but  the  more  fitting  appellation  be 
stowed  on  the  little  row  of  tents  by  the  envious 
single  men  was  "Paradise  Alley."  The  fortunate 
men  who  were  so  highly  favored  were  Major  Dus- 
enberry,  the  Chaplain,  Lieutenant  Holden,  Lieu 
tenant  Titus,  Captain  Nussbaumer,  and  Lieutenant 
Mayeskie,  the  last-named,  who  was  on  the  sick  list 
seriously  ill,  making  a  rapid  convalescence  soon 
after  the  arrival  of  his  wife. 

Early  and  late,  morning,  noon,  and  night,  the 
teamsters  who  accompanied  the  regiment  were  at 
work  with  their  teams  of  mules,  hauling  the  innum 
erable  matters  which  go  toward  rendering  bearable 
the  life  of  soldiers  in  the  field.  These  men,  though 
not  enlisted,  share  with  soldiers  the  dangers,  toils 
and  vicissitudes  of  service,  and  upon  their  faithful 
ness  depends  to  a  large  degree  the  comfort  and  con 
sequent  efficiency  of  their  fighting  comrades. 


CHAPTER  XII 

HOMEWARD    BOUND 
THE   SECOND    ILLINOIS    LEAVES    CUBA 

When  the  Second  Illinois  left  Savannah  in  De 
cember, '98,  and  reached  Sunny  Cuba,  the  first  ques 
tion  the  men  began  asking  was,  "How  long  will  we 
be  in  Cuba?"  They  were  conscious  that  no  fight 
ing  would  be  required  of  them,  and  that  their  term 
of  service  in  the  island  would  necessarily  be  limited 
to  provost  and  camp  duties.  The  American  volun 
teer  makes  his  calculations  in  war  as  well  as  in 
peace,  and  however  pleasant  the  season  or  grand 
the  country,  the  great  objective  HOME  is  always 
in  his  mind.  But  there  was  general  satisfaction  in 
the  southward  move  into  Cuba,  because  it  brought 
us  out  of  the  miserable,  cold,  bleaky,  pneumonia- 
breeding  wintry  season  of  the  States.  The  general 
opinion  among  officers  and  men  was  that  three 
months'  duty  in  Cuba  would  let  us  out.  The 
inference  was  about  correct.  There  were  several 
factors  brought  to  bear  in  causing  the  regiment  to 
leave  Cuba  after  its  four  months'  service. 

First,  there  was  the  unceasing  political  pressure 
brought  to  bear  on  the  men  in  power  by  their  con 
stituents  who  were  either  directly  or  indirectly 


146 


HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 


OFFICERS'  MESS. 


interested  in  friends  or  relatives  serving  in  Cuba, 
and  who  were  afraid  something  might  happen  to 
the  boys.  Then  there  was  the  sure  approach  of 
the  rainy  season,  the  bugbear,  fancied  or  real,  of 
Cuba.  The  rainy  season  would  undoubtedly  con 
tribute  largely  to  swelling  the  sick  report,  with  the 
possibility  of  consequent  deaths.  Then  the  general 
prevalence  of  epidemic  diseases,  especially  the  yel 
low  fever,  which  during  the  summer  months  is 
always  to  be  dreaded,  was  something  desirable  to 
avoid.  And  then  the  final  consideration  that  the  war 
was  ended.  These  were  the  factors  which  brought 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER   INFANTRY 


147 


all  the  volunteer  troops  out  of  Cuba  early  in  the 
spring.  For  awhile  it  was  persistently  reported 
that  the  regiment  would  be  ordered  to  the  Isle  of 
Pines,  to  hold  the  island  as  a  United  States  posses 
sion.  This  report  seemed  to  have  such  evidences 


REGIMENTAL  BAKERY. 

of  truth  that  many  officers  made  preparations  for 
packing.  The  Isle  of  Pines  is  said  to  be  free  from 
the  malarious  diseases  so  common  on  the  main 
land,  and  also  free  from  epidemic  diseases.  But 
while  the  men  had  no  objections  to  going  to  the 
Isle  of  Pines  for  a  little  visit  of  a  month  or  two, 
they  hardly  relished  the  whole  summer  in  that  sort 


H  HISTORY    OF    THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

of  a  Robinson  Crusoe  resort.  But  we  didn't  go  to 
the  Isle  of  Pines.  The  rumor  gradually  died  out 
and  the  men  all  felt  that  the  time  of  their  departure 
was  at  hand. 

The  breaking  up  of  the  splendid  Seventh  Army 
Corps  began  with  the  Southern  regiments.  It  was 
argued  that  it  would  be  better  to  first  send  home 
the  Southern  troops,  because  of  the  earlier  advance 
of  warm  weather  in  the  States,  The  Second 
Louisiana  went  first,  then  followed  in  quick  succes 
sion  the  First  Texas,  Second  South  Carolina,  First 
North  Carolina,  and  Fourth  Virginia,  The  leave- 
taking  of  the  First  North  Carolina  was  not  without 
considerable  feeling.  They  were  the  first  Southern 
regiment  in  Jacksonville,  coming  in  right  on  the 
heels  of  the  Second  Illinois,  who  were  the  first  to 
reach  there.  From  the  beginning  of  the  arduous 
campaign,  arduous  because  of  the  intense  heat  and 
fearful  sick  and  death  rate,  these  two  regiments 
were  brigaded  together.  'Tis  true  that  at  first 
there  were  many  lively  exchanges  of  feeling,  but 
the  two  regiments  soon  came  to  understand  each 
other  and  either  would  fight  for  the  other  at  the 
drop  of  the  hat. 

The  expression  of  the  last  good-by  began  with 
the  men  when  the  regiment,  headed  by  its  band, 
came  down  through  our  company  streets  playing 
with  great  fervor  and  feeling*.  The  soldiers  shout 
ing  "Viva  Second  Illinois,"  and  each  cheer  brought 
back  a  lusty  response.  After  the  serenade,  the 
Second  Illinois  band  took  the  cue  and  stepped  out 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  H9 

of  their  quarters,  playing  "Auld  Lang  Syne." 
Then  as  the  North  Carolina  men  went  back,  our 
fellows  concluded  to  make  a  like  friendly  invasion 
of  their  camp.  So,  headed  by  the  band,  the  regi 
ment  went  in  column  of  fours,  lock-step,  and,  oh 
my,  why  the  dagoes  must  have  heard  us  up  at 
Havana,  They  surely  made  the  welkin  ring. 

The  night  prior  to  the  departure  of  our  Carolina 
friends,  our  officers  got  together  and  decided  to 
invite  all  their  officers  to  take  their  last  meal  in 
camp  with  us.  The  difficult  task  of  preparing  a 
dinner  for  nearly  one  hundred  people,  far  away  from 
base  of  supplies  and  in  a  foreign  land,  fell  to>  the  lot 
of  convivial  exchange  officer  Captain  McFadden, 
and  from  the  looks  of  the  spread  and  the  universal 
appreciation,  the  jolly  Captain  certainly  deserved 
great  credit.  The  whole  of  the  staff,  field  and  line 
officers  of  the  First  North  Carolina  were  present 
and  were  sandwiched  in  at  the  table  between  our 
own  officers,  and  at  the  conclusion  of  the  meal  there 
were  few  dry  eyes  and  many  affecting  farewells. 
We  are  glad  to  add  this  testimony  to<  our  Southern 
comrades,  that  the  stars  and  stripes  has  nowhere 
more  loyal  defenders  than  among  the  people  of  the 
South.  The  War  of  the  Rebellion  has  happily 
passed  and  is  only  now  considered  as  a  great  his 
torical  event. 

The  One  Hundred  and  Sixty-first  Hoosier  Regi 
ment  preceded  us  by  one  day  in  our  leave-taking 
of  Cuba.  There  was  considerable  anxiety  lest  our 
monument  should  not  be  completed  in  time.  The 


REGIMENTAL  MONUMENT. 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER   INFANTRY  151 

clay  statue,  which  was  no  unpretentious  work  of 
art,  unfortunately  did  not  get  the  right  kind  of  a 
bake,  and  much  to*  the  general  disappointment,  the 
monument  was  finished  in  an  extemporized  fashion. 

Considerable  feeling  was  also  manifested  that  the 
regiment  could  not  leave  camp  in  a  body.  We  had 
patiently  submitted  to  the  inconvenience  of  coming 
to  Cuba  in  detachments,  and  it  seemed  only  a  mat 
ter  of  justice  that  we  should  have  the  small  privilege 
of  going  out  intact  as  a  regiment.  But  such  were 
not  our  orders,  and  the  Second  Illinois  has  always 
made  it  a  duty  to  receive  orders  without  question 
ing.  But  there  is  no  doubt  that  we  could  have 
gone  out  as  an  organization  had  it  not  been  that 
April  ist  was  drawing  near  and  in  order  to  avoid 
the  expensive  delays  of  a  five  days'  quarantine, 
troops  had  to  be  sent  out  in  whatever  way 
transport  facilities  afforded.  Consequently  Com 
panies  C  and  L,  under  command  of  Captains  Mair 
and  Swatek,  left  first,  on  Wednesday,  March  29th, 
aboard  the  Olivette. 

Right  in  this  connection  it  is  but  just  to  mention 
something  of  the  arduous  services  performed  by 
these  companies  on  provost  duties  in  Quemados 
and  Mariano.  Company  L  was  given  Quemados, 
Company  C,  Mariano.  These  twin  towns  com 
prising  a  population  of  five  thousand  or  six  thou 
sand  people,  formed  a  sort  of  a  suburb  of  Havana, 
and  had  a  railroad  running  from  Havana  to 
Mariano,  a  distance  of  five  miles,  and  from  Mariano 
to  Playa  de  Mariano,  a  little  fishing  village  with 


152  HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

wharfage  facilities,  about  two  and  a  half  miles  from 
Mariano.  Previous  to  the  Second  Illinois  taking 
hold  of  this  difficult  work,  complications  between 
the  railroad  (owned  by  an  English  syndicate)  and 
other  provost  companies  became  so  frequent  and 
serious  as  to  be  necessary  to  call  in  the  British  con 
sul  to  arbitrate  matters.  General  Brooke,  com 
mander  of  the  Havana  province,  was  addressed  by 
the  British  consul  to  straighten  out  matters  or  else 
put  on  other  provost  men.  It  is  a  matter  of  proud 
record  for  these  two<  companies  of  the  Second 
Illinois  that  as  soon  as  they  assumed  duty  and  con 
trol  no  more  trouble  occurred.  Officers  and  men 
took  in  the  whole  situation  and  went  at  matters  in 
such  a  business-like  and  efficient  manner  that 
trouble  ceased.  The  patroling  of  the  towns,  clos 
ing  up  the  places  of  disorder,  and  quieting,  as  the 
Irishman  said,  the  "obstreporeous"  was  done  with 
such  firmness  that  it  commanded  respect.  So 
pleased  was  Mr.  John  McLean,  manager  of  the 
Ferrocorril  de  Mariano  (R.  R.),  that  he  wrote  a 
highly  complimentary  letter  to  the  General  of 
Havana  province  concerning  these  companies,  and 
as  a  measure  of  appreciation,  furnished  them,  on  the 
day  of  their  leave,  a  special  train  with  free  transpor 
tation  to  Havana. 

The  regiment  left  Cuba  in  detachments.  Com 
panies  C  and  L  left  Mariano*  Wednesday,  9  o'clock, 
March  29th,  over  the  Ferrocorril  de  Mariano. 
They  disembarked  at  the  Concha  station  and 
marched  through  part  of  the  city  of  Havana  down 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  1 53 

to  San  Jose  wharf,  getting  there  at  10:30.  Two 
hours  later  they  got  aboard  lighters  and  were 
tugged  out  to  the  Olivette,  lying  in  the  harbor. 
At  2  p.  m.  the  Olivette  hoisted  her  anchors,  that 
lay  in  the  bottom  of  the  harbor,  and  headed  out  past 
old  Morro,  for  Key  West,  the  Cuban's  Mecca. 
Key  West  was  reached  about  9  o'clock  that  even 
ing.  Here  the  Olivette  disembarked  many  of  her 
passengers,  who  were  Cubans,  and  took  on  a  few 
more  passengers  and  baggage.  In  all  there  were 
about  one  hundred  and  fifty  passengers  aboard,  not 
including  the  one  hundred  and  sixty-five  enlisted 
men  of  the  two  companies.  The  Olivette  remained 
about  one  hour  at  the  wharf,  which  afforded  some 
opportunity  to  get  ashore,  but  we  still  felt  that 
wavy,  snaky  motion  of  the  ship,  only  now  it  was 
the  wharf  that  appeared  in  motion,  and,  singularly 
enough,  many  was  the  time  that  a  passenger  would 
stop  to  make  sure  if  the  dock  was  really  in  motion 
or  not.  Of  course,  the  dock  was  stationary,  but 
that  peculiar  sensation  imparted  by  the  ship's 
motion  still  existed  in  the  brain  of  the  land  lubber, 
and  so  he  declared  the  wharf  did  move,  neverthe 
less. 

From  Key  West  the  destination  was  Tampa,  via 
Mullet's  Point  of  the  Egmont  Key.  At  Mullet's 
Point  they  have  a  detention  station  and  a  fumigat 
ing  plant.  All  the  soldiers'  baggage  and  extra 
apparel  were  taken  for  disinfection.  Not  being 
able  to  hold  the  ship  until  the  process  was  gone 
through  with,  the  Olivette  proceeded  on  to  Tampa 


154          HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

to  unload,  while  the  baggage  came  on  after  in  a 
special  tug.  From  Tampa  the  route  was  to  Savan 
nah,  where  they  learned  that  Augusta,  not  Savan 
nah,  was  to  be  the  muster-out  point.  Considerable 
disappointment  was  felt  and  after  a  two  hours'  rest, 
in  which  the  men  were  called  from  labor  to  refresh 
ment,  the  journey  was  continued  to  Augusta,  which 
city  was  reached  Saturday  morning,  April  ist.  The 
troops  went  immediately  into  the  camp  left  by  the 
Thirty-fifth  Michigan  Volunteers,  which  regiment 
had  been  encamped  there  all  winter. 

The  remainder  of  the  regiment  went  in  two 
detachments.  The  first  detachment,  under  com 
mand  of  Colonel  Moulton,  included  the  First  and 
Third  Battalions  and  staff,  except  Doctors  Porter 
and  Bath,  who  were  assigned  to  the  Second  Bat 
talion,  under  command  of  Major  Dusenberry. 

Colonel  Moulton's  detachment  left  camp  at  6 130 
Thursday,  March  3Oth,  and  proceeded  to  the  train 
about  one-half  mile  away.  By  the  train  they  went 
over  the  same  route  as  Companies  C  and  L,  and 
landed  in  short  order  at  the  wharfs.  The  "Yar 
mouth"  was  the  vessel  assigned  to  them,  and  with 
out  much  delay  officers,  men  and  baggage  were 
taken  aboard,  and  shortly  before  noon  the 
First  and  Third  Battalions  were  taking  their 
last  look  at  the  hazy  coast  lines  of  Cuba,  now 
quickly  vanishing  out  of  sight.  The  "Yar 
mouth"  "pursued  the  even  tenor  of  her  way" 
heading  for  Tampa,  via  Mullet's  Point  of  the  Eg- 
mont  Key.  Mullet's  Point  was  reached  Friday 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  155 

morning  about  9  o'clock,  and  here  the  same  process 
of  disinfection  and  fumigation  of  the  baggage  had 
to  be  endured.  The  baggage  of  this  detachment 
was  treated  like  that  of  Companies  C  and  L,  and 
was  sent  on  later  to  the  command  at  Tampa, 

The  "Yarmouth"  reached  Tampa  Friday,  3  p.  m., 
March  3ist.  Here  a  delay  until  n  o'clock  the  fol 
lowing  evening  was  caused  by  waiting  the  arrival 
of  the  baggage.  This  delay  had  the  right  sort  of 
exasperation  in  it  to  cause  the  men  to  carefully 
rehearse  their  vocabulary.  The  choice  selections 
of  army  rhetoric  as  applied  to  quarantine  stations 
and  fumigating  plants  would  have  baffled  a  modern 
lexicographer.  This  fumigating  business  did  look 
like  a  gross  imposition.  The  civilians  aboard  were 
not  molested  in  person  or  baggage,  whereas  the 
poor  soldier,  who  had  been  strictly  kept  away  from 
all  possibilities  of  contagion,  with  the  little  bundle 
of  personal  stuff  he  had  been  allowed  to  carry  with 
him,  had  to<  be  subjected  to  the  rigorous  orders 
of  a  quarantine  law.  Many  precious  curios  and 
pictures  were  more  or  less  injured  by  the  process, 
much  to  the  sorrow  of  the  owners.  But  the  bag 
gage  finally  arrived,  and  the  men  were  gotten 
aboard  the  cars,  which  were  made  into  two  sections, 
the  first  under  command  of  Colonel  Moulton,  and 
the  second  under  Major  Purinton.  The  orders  had 
been  received  to-  go  on  to  Augusta  for  muster  out, 
and  so  the  night  of  April  2d  found  the  troops  at 
the  designated  place.  It  was  not  considered  advis 
able  to  leave  the  cars  during  the  night,  so  the 


'56 


HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 


bivouac  was  in  the  cars.  Next  morning  the  First 
and  Third  Battalions  joined  Companies  C  and  L 
in  their  new  location,  Camp  McKenzie,  Augusta, 
Ga. 


TORPEDO    BUILDING. 

The  route  taken  by  the  Second  Battalion,  under 
command  of  Major  Dusenberry,  was  different  from 
that  of  the  other  two  detachments.  With  the  Sec 
ond  Battalion  were  assigned  staff  officers,  Drs.  Por 
ter  and  Bath,  the  band,  and  the  hospital  corps. 
They  remained  on  the  ground  until  about  9  o'clock 
awaiting  the  train.  There  were  many  amusing 
scenes  in  watching  the  poor  Cubans  clean  up  the 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  157 

camp.  That  is,  every  trifling  article  left  behind, 
whether  there  was  any  value  in  it  or  not,  wras  picked 
up  and  carried  off.  In  one  instance  there  was  a 
young  man  and  woman,  evidently  newly  married, 
getting  their  stock  of  household  furniture  from 
the  odds  and  ends  left  behind.  What  wasn't  car 
ried  in  the  hands  or  under  the  arms  or  tied  to  the 
back,  was  carried  on  their  heads.  In  another  case 
a  middle-aged  seriorita,  with  a  pumpkin  complexion 
and  mouth  which,  like  the  poor  man's  lease,  ran 
from  'ear  to  'ear,  came  about,  accompanied  by  a 
little  girl  and  a  smaller  boy.  The  aforesaid  senorita 
was  enjoying  the  delectable  delight  of  a  chew  in 
the  shape  of  a  whole  cigar  which  she  had  picked 
up.  This  lovely  dame  was  busy  piling  various  bric- 
a-brac  on  the  heads  of  both  boy  and  girl,  until  it 
seemed  that  there  wasn't  any  longer  any  room  left. 
Our  genial  junior  dispenser  of  pills  took  in  the 
humor  of  the  situation,  and,  casting  his  observant 
eyes  about  him,  saw  a  big  po>le  of  bamboo  on  the 
ground.  Picking  up  the  pole,  this  modern  follower 
of  Esculapius  approached  the  moon-mouthed  lady, 
and,  with  a  bow  which  would  have  done  credit  to 
Chesterfield,  presented  the  lady  with  this  pole  in 
the  finest  strain  of  Spanish  he  could  command. 
The  aforesaid  lady,  hardly  knowing  what  to  make 
out  of  the  presentation,  took  the  pole  with  the 
utmost  possible  degree  of  politeness  and  marched 
off  with  it,  to  throw  it  away  with  an  air  of  contempt 
language  can  never  describe. 

But  the  last  of  the  Second  Illinois  moved  out  at 


I58          HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

9  o'clock,  the  band  playing  merrily  and  everybody 
glad.  Our  train  took  us  down  to  Concha  station, 
where  we  formed  and  marched  to  the  wharf.  The 
music  the  Cubans  heard  that  bright  morning  was 
such  as  only  the  band  of  the  famous  Second  Illinois 
co'Uld  give,  and  it  was  music  truly.  The  natives 
everywhere  lined  the  streets  and  cheered. 

Our  wait  at  the  dock  was  tedious.  We  were 
billed  for  the  "Vigilancia,"  a  Ward  liner.  She  was 
due  at  10  a.  m.,  but  did  not  come  into  the  harbor 
till  nearly  7  that  evening. 

The  all-day  wait  on  the  dock  within  a  stone's 
throw  of  the  worst  district  in  Havana,  made  guard 
duty  onerous  and  tiresome.  For,  however  good 
the  morale  of  a  command  may  be,  there  are  always 
a  few  who  would  try  the  patience  of  a  Job.  The 
day  was  spent  consuming  the  travel  rations.  To 
the  unsophisticated  carpet  gentry  at  home,  accus 
tomed  only  to  silver  spoons  and  hotel  menus,  a  meal 
or  two  on  travel  rations  would  most  likely  con 
sign  them  to  that  small  piece  of  real  estate  known 
as  the  cemetery.  But  our  fellows  had  learned  by 
past  experience  how  to  eat  travel  rations  and  still 
live.  Many  old  army  songs  were  sung,  with  such 
vim  and  heartiness  as  to  evoke  cheers  from  the 
crews  of  the  outlying  ships. 

At  evening  the  "Vigilancia"  came  proudly  into 
the  harbor  and  tied  up  to  the  clock.  For  a  while  it 
seemed  that  we  would  have  to  wait  still  further. 
The  "Vigilancia"  was  capable  of  carrying  1,200 
troops,  while  our  command  numbered  only  about 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  159 

365  men  and  officers  together.  After  considerable 
parleying  the  vessel  was  ordered  to<  coal  and  pro 
vision  with  all  possible  haste  and  get  out.  The 
quarantine  was  the  thing  to  be  avoided.  So  the 
troops  embarked  and  went  to  bed.  The  night  was 
hot  and  the  men  were  allowed  the  privileges  of  the 
entire  ship  during  the  voyage.  At  7  next  morning, 
Friday,  March  3ist,  the  "Vigilancia"  steamed  out 
past  the  gunboat  "Resolute."  Our  band  was  on 
deck  saluting  the  "Resolute"  with  that  grand  air 
"Stars  and  Stripes  Forever,"  a  most  appropriate  air 
in  leaving.  We  cheered  the  "Resolute"  and  they 
in  turn  gave  us  three  hearties.  We  reached  Dry 
Tortugas,  that  famous  seaside  resort,  at  3  p.  m.  the 
same  day.  This  proved  our  Jonah.  Go  where  we 
would  to  any  little  coral  reef  in  the  sea,  the  ever- 
present  quarantine  officer  with  his  fumigating  ap 
paratus  was  there.  Not  satisfied  with  a  clean  bill 
of  health,  it  was  still  necessary  to  disinfect  all  bag 
gage  and  fumigate  the  ship.  So  we  submitted  to 
the  inevitable,  while  the  purser  began  calculating 
what  each  clay's  delay  cost  the  company. 

It  was  all  in  vain  the  solicitations  of  the  surgeons 
that  shore  privileges  be  allowed  the  officers  to  visit 
the  city,  ride  over  their  boulevards  and  dine  in 
their  cafes.  The  little  marine  surgeon  listened  very 
respectfully,  and  quietly  informed  the  open- 
mouthed  group  of  officers  that  their  only  public 
place  was  a  detention  hospital  and  that  riding  on 
boulevards  was  strictly  confined  to  rowing  a  boat 
from  one  reef  to  another.  And  as  for  luncheon, 


i6o 


HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 


they  had  salt  fish,  and  for  drink,  cistern  water.  Oh, 
you  should  have  seen  those  officers.  Each  seemed 
to  look,  "Who  said  I  wanted  shore  leave?"  It 
immediately  occurred  to  everyone  that  the  ship  was 
the  only  and  proper  place  for  all. 


QUARTERMASTER'S  DEPARTMENT. 

While  the  authorities  were  busy  disinfecting  and 
fumigating,  everybody  was  enjoying  the  novel 
sight  of  seeing  the  sharks  swim  about  the  vessel 
and  the  myriads  of  fish  that  accompanied  them. 
The  water  was  clear  as  crystal,  and  objects  could 
be  seen  to  a  great  depth.  The  sight  of  the  sharks, 
great  big  tawny  brutes  swimming  about,  made  the 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  l6l 

boys  feel  that  sea-bathing  with  such  neighbors 
could  be  passed  up.  In  the  meanwhile  Lieutenant 
Chamberlain  conceived  the  idea  of  fishing  for  shark. 
So  he  secured  a  big  iron  hook  from  the  chief  offi 
cer  and  baited  it  with  a  big  piece  of  pork,  and,  with 
a  stout  rope  for  a  line,  lowered  it  overboard.  Well, 
the  sharks  came  about,  smelled  the  bait,  and  it  was 
observed  that  they  gave  each  other  the  wink.  The 
sharks  were  evidently  on  to  the  fact  that  it  was 
April  Fool's  day.  At  first  we  thought  that  was  the 
reason  they  appeared  so  knowing.  But  later  on 
as  the  line  was  hauled  up,  the  cause  for  suspicion, 
even  among  the  sharks,  was  apparent.  The  bait 
was  not  tied  on  to  the  hook  properly.  But  as  it 
was,  about  1 1  o'clock  there  was  great  excitement 
on  deck.  It  was  seen  that  about  twenty  men  were 
tugging  at  the  line  and  hauling  it  in  sailor-fashion. 
On  the  end  of  that  line,  with  its  jaw  firmly  shut  over 
the  hook,  was  a  monster  shark.  The  gyrations  he 
performed  were  marvelous  to  behold.  An  old  salt 
shouted  to  lasso  his  tail  or  he  would  get  loose.  This 
pleasing  task  fell  to  the  lot  of  Lieutenant  Herrick, 
who  let  loose  a  line  which  fell  over  the  rear  works 
of  the  shark.  He  was  hauled  up  to  the  lower  deck, 
but  not  until  various  kodakers  had  snapped  him. 
On  the  lower  deck  he  was  firmly  lashed  fore,  aft 
and  middle.  The  next  question  was  how  to  send 
the  spirit  of  that  shark  into  the  shady  realm.  That 
pleasant  lot  fell  naturally  to  the  doctor,  who  was 
considered  skilled  in  that  particular  specialty.  The 
doctor  secured  a  Krag  bavonet  and  made  a  very 


!2  HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

feeling  penetration  into  the  interior  of  the  brute. 
This  settled  it.  The  stomach  was  then  opened,  but 
neither  a  cork  leg,  gold  watch,  nor  a  lady's  hand 
were  found  there.  The  absence  of  any  of  those  deli 
cacies  certainly  explained  why  the  fish  bit  at  the 
salt  pork.  The  shark  measured  almost  ten  feet. 
The  boys  dug  out  his  teeth  for  souvenirs,  some  of 
which  are  in  the  writer's  possession. 

The  delay  occasioned  by  the  quarantine  allowed 
the  band  time  enough  to  make  a  most  appropriate 
selection  of  music  for  Easter  Sunday.  The  con 
cert  was  given  in  the  ship's  saloon,  and  was  cer 
tainly  the  most  pleasing  and  entertaining  we  ever 
heard.  The  ship's  officers  became  convinced  that 
there  was  no  band  like  the  Second  Illinois. 

Sunday  evening,  April  2d,  we  left  Dry  Tortugas 
and  made  for  Savannah,  forty  hours  away.  From 
here  the  voyage  was  somewhat  rough.  Officers 
and  men  remained  in  their  bunks.  We  sighted 
Tybee  Island,  Ga.,  about  10  o'clock  Tuesday  morn 
ing,  April  4th,  and,  after  considerable  see 
sawing,  tied  to  the  Gordon  wharf  at  Savan 
nah  at  3  o'clock  that  afternoon.  Here  we 
learned  that,  like  the  rest  of  the  command, 
we  were  destined  for  Augusta,  During  the 
interval  awaiting  the  train,  an  elegant  hot  lunch 
was  served  the  men,  who  had  become  tired  of  their 
travel  rations.  The  lunch  consisted  of  hot  coffee, 
egg  sandwiches,  ham  sandwiches,  and  scrambled 
eggs.  We  got  aboard  the  cars  at  10  p.  m.  We 
were  sorry  that  we  could  not  rejoin  our  Carolina 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  163 

and  Indiana  friends,  who  were  encamped  on  our 
old  grounds  at  Savannah,  but  we  all  turned  in  and 
slept  the  sleep  of  the  just,  while  the  train  rattled 
along  toward  Augusta,  133  miles  away.  Augusta 
was  reached  early  in  the  morning  of  Wednesday, 
April  5th.  After  awaiting  some  time  for  another 
lunch  to  be  served,  we  proceeded  to  Camp  McKen- 
zie,  rejoicing  to  be  together  again  and  on  American 
soil,  and  proud  of  the  notable  distinction  of  being 
the  only  regiment  to  leave  Cuba  without  the  loss 
of  a  single  man. 


CHAPTER  XIII 

MAINE   DAY   AT   HAVANA 

The  Third  Battalion  and  the  band  of  the  Second 
Illinois  were  selected  to  represent  the  infantry  arm, 
Second  Division  of  the  Seventh  Army  Corps,  on 
the  occasion  of  decorating  the  graves  of  the  victims 
of  the  "Maine"  explosion,  at  the  Colon  Cemetery, 
Havana,  on  February  15,  1899. 

At  i  130  p.  m.,  the  Third  Battalion,  under  the 
command  of  Major  Holman  G.  Purinton,  fell  in  and 
marched  to  the  Colon  Cemetery,  a  distance  of  about 
seven  miles.  A  large  crowd,  composed  of  Ameri 
cans,  English,  Spaniards,  Cubans  and  other  nations, 
was  present.  The  ceremonies  had  commenced 
when  our  men  arrived,  the  marines  from  the  war 
ships  "Texas"  and  "Resolute"  conducting  them.  A 
memorial  service  was  held,  and  a  national  salute 
was  fired  by  the  battery  of  light  artillery.  In  addi 
tion  to  the  Second  Battalion,  Second  Illinois,  there 
were  present,  representing  their  various  commands, 
a  battalion  of  the  Third  Nebraska,  one  of  the  Maine 
artillery,  a  battery  of  United  States  light  artillery, 
and  a  troop  of  the  Seventh  Cavalry.  At  the  con 
clusion  of  the  ceremony  all  the  troops  were  marched 
by  the  graves,  which  were  lavishly  decorated  for 
the  occasion.  Our  boys  were  surprised  to  see  that 

164 


1 66 


HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 


no  headstones  or  permanent  monuments  of  any 
kind  had  been  erected,  but  it  takes  a  considerable 
time  to  complete  the  design  which  has  been  made 
for  the  monument  that  is  to  be  erected,  and  its  not 
being  ready  does  not  imply  any  laxity  or  neglect. 

The  battalion  reached  camp  on  its  return  at  6 
p.  m. 

ROLL  OF  HONOR. 

CAPTAIN  WILLIAM  A.  CHADWICK,  Company  D.  Died 
at  Chatanooga,  Tennessee,  October  27.  1898.  A  faithful 
officer,  and  the  ranking  line  officer  of  the  regiment. 

FIRST  LIEUTENANT  ANDREW  E.  PAULSEN,  Com 
pany  C.  Died  at  Jacksonville,  Florida,  October  30,  1898. 


CAPT.  WILLIAM   A.   CHADWICK. 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY 


I67 


CORPORAL  G.  H.  KEAGLE. 

FIRST  LIEUTENANT  ELMER  H.  BEATTY.  Was  mus 
tered  in  with  the  regiment,  but  on  July  n,  1898,  resigned, 
and,  proceeding  home,  died  in  Chicago  October  17,  1898. 

WILLIAM  C.  BRYANT,  Company  I.  Died  at  Springfield, 
Illinois,  May  22,  1898. 

FRANCIS  W.  CHESHIRE,  Company  H.  Died  at  Spring 
field,  Illinois,  June  n,  1898. 

FRANK  J.  RILEY,  Company  F.  Died  of  typhoid  fever  at 
Jacksonville,  Florida,  July  4,  1898. 

HENRY  C.  BRAMEN,  Company  F.  Died  of  typhoid  fever 
at  Jacksonville,  Florida,  July  12,  1898. 

CORPORAL  GEORGE  A.  JACKSON,  Company  F.  Died 
of  typhoid  fever  at  Jacksonville,  Florida,  July  15,  1898. 

ARTHUR  V.  COOPER,  Company  G.  Died  of  typhoid  fever 
at  Jacksonville,  Florida,  August  19,  1898. 


1 68 


HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 


ERNEST  SINCLAIR,  Company  C.     Died  of  typhoid  fever  at 

Jacksonville,  Florida,  August  30,  1898. 
HERMAN  STROBEL,   Company  L.     Died  of  typhoid  fever 

at  Jacksonville,  Florida,  September  2,  1898. 
WILLIAM   LEMBKE,   Company  C.     Died  of  typhoid   fever 

at  Jacksonville,  Florida,  September  3,  1898. 
WILLIAM  UMSTED,   Company  B.     Died  of  typhoid  fever 

at  Jacksonville,  Florida,  September  9,  1898. 
GEORGE  H.  KEAGLE,  Company  B.     Died  of  typhoid  fever 

at  Jacksonville,  Fla.,  September  10,  1898. 
CHARLES  DONLEY,   Company  L.     Died  of  typhoid  fever 

at  Jacksonville,  Florida,  September  14,  1898. 
ARTHUR  CONNELLY,  Company  L.     Died  of  typhoid  fever 

at  Jacksonville,  Florida,  September  18,  1898. 
CHARLES  HANSEN,  Company  G.     Died  of  typhoid  fever  at 

Jacksonville,  Fla.,  September  19,  1898. 
WILLIAM  R.  VEAZY,  Company  H.     Died  of  typhoid  fever 

at  Jacksonville,  Florida,  September  22,  1898. 
ROBERT  B.  GUSHWA,  Company  I.     Died  of  typhoid  fever 

at  Jacksonville,  Florida,  September  22,  1898. 
HENRY  STEFFINS,  Company  L.     Died  of  typhoid  fever  at 

Jacksonville,  Florida,  September  24,  1898. 
JERRY  LEYHAN,   Company  M.     Died  of  typhoid  fever  at 

Jacksonville,  Florida,  October  12,  1898. 
HENRY  W.  MARINER,  Company  D.     Died  of  typhoid  fever 

at  Jacksonville,  Florida,  October  19,  1898. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

GENERAL    BURT 

It  was  the  rare  good  fortune  of  the  Second  Illi 
nois  to  be  assigned  to  the  First  Brigade,  Second 
Division,  Seventh  Army  Corps,  in  more  ways  than 
one,  and  not  the  least  of  these  was  that  of  the  as 
signment  of  General  A.  S.  Bnrt  as  its  brigade  com 
mander. 

The  possessor  of  great  kindliness  of  heart,  a 
genial  and  sympathetic  disposition,  combined  with 
a  cheerful  demeanor,  rare  judgment  in  estimating 
the  capabilities  of  officers  and  men,  exactness  of 
method,  and  fairness  in  the  administration  of  jus 
tice,  he  exercised  the  strictest  discipline  over  his 
command,  with  such  a  measure  of  comradeship  that 
it  made  service  under  him  a  pleasure  to  the  true 
soldier.  He  was  a  constant  visitor  at  the  hospitals, 
not  only  to  see  that  the  sick  were  receiving  every 
attention  possible  under  the  circumstances,  but  to 
cheer  and  encourage  the  boys  personally.  He 
would  tell  them  funny  stories  and  try  to  rouse  them 
from  the  deathly  grasp  of  homesickness,  which 
has  caused  so  many  cases  of  fever  to  result  fatally. 
He  instituted  field  sports  in  his  command  to  inter 
est  and  encourage  those  whom  the  fever  had  yet 
spared.  Field  days  were  designated,  and  prizes 

169 


GEN.  A.  S.  BURT. 


170 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  I71 

offered  for  the  successful  contestants  in  the  differ 
ent  events.  A  small  entrance  fee  was  charged,  and 
the  profits  devoted  to  purchasing  delicacies  for  the 
sick.  Learning  that  a  bugler  (Toolen,  of  "M") 
who  had  for  a  short  time  been  detailed  on  duty  at 
brigade  headquarters,  was  down  with  the  fever,  he 
at  once  started  out  to  find  him,  and  was  obliged 
to  make  three  trips  to  the  Second  Division  hos 
pital  before  he  located  him.  By  these  kindly  min 
istrations  he  endeared  himself  to  every  man  of  the 
regiment,  and  was  soon  called  General  "Andy" 
Burt  by  all  the  boys.  The  "star"  of  a  general  did 
not  obliterate  the  humanity  that  possessed  him. 
The  following  letter  from  the  field  agent  of  the 
American  National  Red  Cross  Society,  upon  learn 
ing  of  his  resignation  as  commander  of  the  First 
Brigade,  speaks  for  itself: 

THE    AMERICAN    NATIONAL    RED    CROSS. 

Field  Station,  Jacksonville,  Fla.,  Oct.  17,  1898. 
Brigadier-General  A.  S.  Burt. 

My  Dear  General :  I  learn  with  surprise  and 
regret  that  you  have  been  suddenly  relieved  of  your 
command  in  the  Seventh  Army  Corps. 

This  I  regard  as  a  calamity,  not  only  to  the  troops 
directly  under  your  charge,  but  to  the  sick  through 
out  the  division.  It  is  not  too>  much  to  say  that 
no  other  officer  of  your  rank  has  been  so  actively 
and  energetically  concerned  to  secure  for  the  sick 
that  quality  of  nursing,  diet  and  medical  attention 
which  regard  for  their  welfare  demanded.  No 
other  that  I  know  of  has  visited  the  hospital  at  mid 
night  to  assure  himself  that  the  sick  were  receiving 


I72  HISTORY    OF    THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

proper  attention.  Your  genuine  interest  in  your 
men  has  been  matter  of  favorable  comment  every 
where,  and  has  won  for  you  a  popularity  in  your 
own  brigade  which  is  known  throughout  the  camp. 
Hoping  that  this  blunder  and  injustice  may  be 
speedily  corrected,  and  you  restored  to  your  old 
relations,  I  am,  with  great  respect  and  esteem, 
Yours  most  sincerely, 

ALEX  KENT, 
Field  Agent. 

The  restraint  imposed  upon  the  soldiers  on  drill 
or  parade  seemed  always  to  worry  the  General,  and 
he  invariably  cautioned  commanding  officers  to  be 
sure  and  give  the  command  "at  ease"  or  "rest" 
upon  all  possible  occasions. 

Upon  the  occasion  of  the  presentation  of  a  stand 
of  colors  to  the  regiment  by  Governor  Tanner,  of 
Illinois,  at  Jacksonville,  Fla.,  the  regiment  being 
in  "line  of  masses"  at  "attention,"  General  Burt, 
who  accompanied  the  Governor,  took  a  position 
nearly  in  front  of  the  Third  Battalion,  and  shortly 
became  cognizant  of  the  fact  that  long  speeches 
were  the  order  of  the  day.  He  was  not  unmindful 
of  the  constrained  position  of  the  officers  and  men 
in  his  front,  and,  attracting  the  attention  of  Major 
Purinton,  commanding  the  battalion,  signaled  to 
him  to  give  the  command  "at  ease."  The  Major 
was  now  more  uncomfortable  than  ever,  well  knowT- 
ing  that  he  (the  Major)  had  no  right  to  give  such 
a  command  when  the  regimental  commander  was 
present.  He  looked  toward  Colonel  Moulton  and 
then  at  the  General,  and  shook  his  head.  The  Gen- 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  1 73 

eral  smiled,  and,  placing  his  hand  to  his  mouth, 
hoarsely  whispered :  "I'll  assume  the  responsibil 
ity."  The  command  was  instantly  given,  and  the 
men,  who  had  noticed  the  incident,  smiled  with  sat 
isfaction  as  they  took  a  more  comfortable  position 
to  hear  the  eloquent  remarks  of  the  Governor  of 
Illinois  and  the  response  of  Colonel  Moulton. 

The  camp  of  the  Second  at  Jacksonville  lay 
between  brigade  headquarters  and  the  street  rail 
way,  so  that  the  General,  to  reach  the  cars,  passed 
through  the  camp  of  the  regiment.  He  had  a  kind 
ly  word  and  nod  of  recognition  for  all  as  he  passed, 
and  sometimes;  when  the  General  had  stayed  in 
town  until  after  "challenging"  by  the  sentinels  had 
commenced,  and  official  "recognition"  was  neces 
sary,  different  words  were  said,  here  unsaid.  The 
strict  rules  of  the  camp  (the  General's  orders)  often 
acted  as  a  boomerang  upon  him,  causing  him  to 
be  delayed  in  getting  to  his  quarters.  One  dark 
night,  upon  being  challenged  by  number  one,  he 
answered,  "General  officer."  The  sentinel  quickly 
called,  "Corporal  of  the  guard,  general  officer." 
But  the  General  was  in  a  hurry,  a  storm  was  threat 
ening  and  the  Corporal  was  not  closely  at  hand. 
He  addressed  the  sentinel :  "Don't  you  recognize 
me  as  your  commanding  General?"  "I  know  you 
are  General  Burt,  sir,"  replied  the  sentinel,  "but 
you  cannot  pass  this  post  until  the  Corporal  ad 
vances  you."  "I'll  bet  you  I  do,"  said  the  General, 
advancing  toward  the  sentinel.  Quickly  came  the 
response,  the  point  of  the  sentinel's  bayonet  drop- 


!74          HISTORY    OF    THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

ping  to  a  line  with  the  General's  breast,  "I'll  bet 
my  month's  salary  against  yours  you  don't !"  The 
prompt  arrival  of  the  Corporal  of  the  guard  relieved 
the  tension,  the  sentinel  saluted  the  General,  and 
resumed  walking  his  post.  The  General  proceeded 
to  his  quarters,  saying  to  his  staff  officer  accom 
panying  him :  "I  will  have  to  modify  those  orders 
or  else  go  around  the  Second  Illinois  camp  in  the 
future.  They  are  too  punctilious  for  one's  com 
fort."  It  is  needless  to  say,  however,  that  his  slight 
annoyance  never  resulted  in  a  change  of  the  orders. 

It  was  an  object  lesson  to  the  officers  of  the  Sec 
ond  to  watch  the  affection  springing  up  between 
the  commanding  General  and  the  soldiers  of  the 
First  Brigade.  This  affection  was  not  on  account 
of  favors  granted,  of  discipline  relaxed,  or  compli 
ments  bestowed,  but  a  natural  growth  resulting 
from  recognized  worth.  Each  succeeding  day  dis 
covered  new  traits  which  endeared  him  to  the  men. 
His  happy  faculty  of  pleasantly  addressing  a  soldier, 
questioning  him  in  regard  to  his  comfort  or  duty, 
giving  him  advice,  together  with  his  keen  appre 
ciation  of  a  witty  response  to  his  sometimes  pointed 
questions  added  not  a  little  to  his  popularity. 

During  the  summer  of  1898  the  General  took  a 
short  leave  of  absence,  visiting  his  son  in  Chicago 
during  that  time.  On  resuming  command  of 
his  brigade,  Colonel  Moulton  notified  the  officers 
of  his  command  that  a  serenade  to  the  General 
would  be  in  order  in  the  evening,  and  directed  the 
assembling  of  the  regiment  without  the  calls  being 


m 


GEN.   MACEO. 


I76  HISTORY    OF    THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

sounded.  At  the  appointed  time  the  band  struck 
up  a  lively  march  and  headed  for  brigade  head 
quarters,  a  few  hundred  yards  away,  but  hidden 
from  view  by  trees.  General  Burt  was  sitting  in 
front  of  his  tent,  conversing  with  his  staff,  and, 
hearing  the  Second's  band  playing,  remarked  :  "The 
Second  Regiment  is  serenading  its  Colonel  again. 
It's  a  wonder  that  Colonel  Moulton  wouldn't  bring 
his  blanked  band  over  here  and  serenade  me; 
haven't  heard  any  good  music  for  some  time." 
About  this  time  the  General  realized  that  the  music 
was  getting  nearer,  and  soon  the  entire  regiment 
came  into  view,  marching  straight  for  the  General. 
Battalions  were  closed  in  mass  on  three  sides  of  a 
square,  inclosing  the  General,  Colonel  Moulton  and 
their  respective  staffs.  The  General  quietly 
remarked :  "You  only  have  to  express  the  wish  and 
the  Second  Illinois  does  the  rest." 

Colonel  Moulton  made  a  feeling  speech  in  behalf 
of  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  the  regiment,  welcom 
ing  back  to  his  command  their  beloved  commander. 
General  Burt  stepped  a  few  paces  nearer  the  lines 
and  said :  "Officers  and  men  of  the  Second  Illinois 
—I  say  men,  because  you  have  earned  that  title  in 
its  fullest  sense,  I  am  now  going  to  give  my  first 
command  on  resuming  charge  of  the  Frist  Brigade. 
'Rest?  "  Instantly  the  cheers  of  eleven  hundred 
men  burst  forth  spontaneously,  fully  testifying  to 
his  hold  upon  the  hearts  of  his  soldiers.  The  Gen 
eral  made  an  eloquent  speech,  full  of  complimentary 
reference  to  the  Second.  During  his  remarks  he 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  177 

related  the  following  incident  which  occurred  in 
Chicago  during  his  visit :  "I  had  occasion  to  visit 
a  building  said  to  be  located  at  the  corner  of  Mad 
ison  and  State  Streets,  but  as  usual  there  were  four 
corners,  and,  wishing  to  save  time,  I  stepped  up  to 
a  policeman  on  duty  at  the  crossing,  and,  by  the 
way,  he  was  an  elegant  representative  of  the  'Old 
Sod.'  Putting  on  my  most  military  aspect,  with 
my  chest  thrown  well  to  the  front,  I  saluted  him 
and  asked :  'Mr.  Officer,  can  you  tell  me  where 
the  Champlain  Building  is  located?'  'Straight 
forninst  ye,  there,'  said  he.  In  my  hurry  I  had 
walked  a  few  steps  away  before  I  recollected  that 
I  had  forgotten  to  thank  the  policeman,  so  I  re 
turned  to  him,  straightened  up,  saluted  him,  and 
said,  'Thank  you,  Mr.  Officer,'  who  replied, 
'Arrah !  Go  on  wid  ye.  Are  yez  dhrunk  or  a  lu- 
nat-ic?'  Now,  from  the  behavior  of  the  Second 
in  camp,  I  judge  that  it  will  not  be  very  long  after 
the  regiment  returns  home  before  the  Chicago 
policemen  become  accustomed  to  military  civility." 

Early  in  October  a  cloud  settled  over  the  regi 
ment.  General  Order  No.  162,  War  Department, 
was  issued.  Under  its  provisions  General  Burt  was 
to  be  mustered  out  of  the  volunteer  service  and  re 
turned  to  his  former  command  in  the  regular  estab 
lishment,  Colonel  of  the  Twenty-fifth  Infantry. 

This  was  a  sore  disappointment  to  officers  and 
men  alike,  and  expressions  of  regret  were  heard  on 
every  side.  A  committee  was  appointed  by  the 
officers  to  draft  a  set  of  resolutions  and  to  procure 


I78          HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

a  sword  to  be  presented  to  the  General  as  a  testi 
monial  of  the  regard  in  which  he  is  held  by  the 
officers  and  men  of  the  regiment. 

On  October  i6th  the  last  official  communication 
was  distributed  to  his  command: 

CAMP  CUBA  LIBRE, 
Jacksonville,  Fla.,  Oct.  16,  1898. 
To  the  Officers  and  Soldiers,  First  Brigade,  Second 
Division,  Seventh  Army  Corps. 

COMRADES  : — 

My  successor  has  taken  command,  and  I  must 
say  good-by.  I  do  so  with  great  sorrow  at  leav 
ing  you.  I  thank  you  sincerely  for  the  effort  you 
have  made  to  be  the  best  brigade  in  this  corps. 

I  know  and  appreciate  how  hard  you  have 
worked  to-  perfect  yourselves  in  drills,  and  other 
duties  of  a  soldier.  How  well  you  have  succeeded 
is  a  matter  of  record. 

Good-by,  comrades,  my  heart  will  be  with  you 
always. 

A.  S.  BURT, 
Brigadier-General  Volunteers. 

On  the  evening  of  his  departure  from  Jackson 
ville,  the  officers  of  the  regiment,  accompanied  by 
the  band  and  a  committee  of  three  men  from  each 
company,  called  at  the  Windsor  Hotel,  the  pro 
prietors  kindly  donating  the  use  of  its  fine  parlors 
for  the  occasion. 

The  General  was  invited  to  the  "front  and  cen 
ter,"  where  Major  Purinton,  in  behalf  of  the  offi 
cers  and  men,  presented  him  with  a  beautifully  en 
grossed  set  of  resolutions,  as  follows ; 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  179 

To  Brigadier-General  Andrew  S.  Burt,  U.  S.  A., 
Camp  Cuba  Libre,  Jacksonville,  Florida,  Oct. 
19,  1898. 

GENERAL  : — 

On  the  occasion  of  your  handing  over  the  com 
mand  of  the  First  Brigade,  Second  Division,  Sev 
enth  Army  Corps,  to  your  successor,  the  officers 
and  soldiers  of  the  Second  Illinois  Volunteer  In 
fantry  cannot  refrain  from  respectfully  expressing 
to  you  their  high  sense  of  the  uniform  kindness  and 
consideration  with  which  you  have  ever  treated 
them,  and  which  you  have  known  how  to  combine 
so  happily  with  soldierly  firmness  and  decision. 

You  have  succeeded  in  creating  a  command  sec 
ond  to  none  in  drill,  in  discipline,  and  in  military 
deportment,  and  which  furnishes  an  example  to 
other  brigades  in  health,  comfort  and  contentment 
of  the  officers  and  soldiers  composing  it. 

In  sickness  and  in  health,  in  rain  and  in  sunshine, 
whether  on  the  drill  ground  or  in  the  many  per 
plexing  details  of  camp  life,  we  have  felt  your  guid 
ing  hand,  your  prompt  aid,  and  your  wise  and  judi 
cious  counsel. 

Circumstances  have  not  permitted  us  the  privi 
lege  of  sharing  with  you  the  glories  of  the  battle 
field,  and  showing  the  results  of  your  teaching,  but 
be  assured  that,  if  ever  such  an  opportunity  shall 
offer,  the  brigade  which  General  Burt  formed, 
organized,  taught,  and  so  carefully  tended,  will  so 
acquit  itself  as  to  bring  no  discredit  upon  its  old 
commander. 

In  bidding  you  farewell,  we  respectfully  beg  your 
acceptance  of  a  sword,  as  a  slight  token  of  the  affec 
tion  and  admiration  we  feel  for  you,  both  as  an  offi 
cer  and  as  a  man.  We  shall  follow  your  future 
career  with  the  friendliest  interest,  confident  that 


I  So  HISTORY    OF    THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

should  occasion  arise  you  will  surpass  your  already 
distinguished  record. 

Good-by,  General,  you  will  always  occupy  a 
warm  place  in  the  hearts  of  the  First  Brigade,  par 
ticularly  those  of  the  Second  Illinois. 

(Signed.)  GEORGE  M.  MOULTON, 

Colonel  2d  111.  Vol.  Inf. 
FRANK  W.  MECHENER, 

First  Lieutenant  and  Acting  Adjutant. 

Owing  to  the  suddenness  of  the  General's  de 
parture,  the  manufacturers  were  unable  to  finish  the 
sword,  and  it  was  forwarded  to  him  a  few  days  later. 

The  sword  is  a,  beautiful  piece  of  work,  the  blade 
being  of  Damascus  steel,  beautifully  etched  and 
of  So'lingeivs  finest  work.  The  grip  is  made  of 
mother  of  pearl,  bound  with  heavy  gold  wire,  the 
guard  being  of  gold  in  open  work  artistically 
wrought.  The  scabbard  is  elaborately  etched  with 
intricate  designs,  the  open  wrork  mountings  being- 
all  heavily  plated.  The  inscription  on  the  scabbard 
is: 

"Presented  to  Brigadier-General  Andrew  S. 
Burt,  First  Brigade,  Second  Division,  Seventh 
Army  Corps,  as  a  token  of  the  regard  in  which  he 
is  held  by  the  officers  and  men  of  the  Second  Illinois 
Volunteer  Infantry." 

There  was  also^  sent  a  magnificent  sword  knot 
attached  to  the  belt.  Accompanying  the  gift  was 
a  list  of  the  officers  and  men  who  contributed  to  this 
testimonial,  all  engrossed  on  parchment,  the  list  of 
names  being  arranged  alphabetically. 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  il 

The  General  acknowledged  the  receipt  of  the 
sword  in  the  following  letter: 

George  M.  Moulton,  Colonel  Second  Illinois  Vol 
unteer  Infantry. 

DEAR  COLONEL  : 

I  desire  to  inform  you  and  other  dear  comrades 
of  the  Second  Illinois  that  the  beautiful  sword  was 
received  last  night.  It  certainly  is  very  handsome. 
I  shall  cherish  it  the  more  that  it  comes  to  me  with 
such  loving  expressions  of  esteem.  The  inscrip 
tion  upon  the  scabbard,  and  the  expressions  con 
tained  in  the  accompanying  resolutions,  fill  my  old 
heart  with  pleasure.  I  don't  know  what  I  ever  did 
to  deserve  so  much  of  you  all. 

Again  I  thank  you  with  a  full  and  loving  heart 
for  my  bully  old  Second  Illinois.  God  bless  you, 
and  good  luck  go  with  you. 

I  know  full  well  if  the  regiment  is  ever  called 
on  to  show  itself  as  good  soldiers  and  gallant  gen 
tlemen,  every  one,  the  call  will  not  be  in  vain.  And 
oh,  if  I  could  only  be  with  you  when  that  time 
comes.  Your  loving  comrade, 

A.  S.  BURT, 

Colonel  Twenty-fifth  United  States  Infantry  and 
Brigadier-General.  Volunteers. 

General  Burt  sincerely  regretted  that  his  brigade 
was  not  sent  to  the  front,  and  often  spoke  of  the 
"hard  luck  which  bottled  up  such  a  fine  organiza 
tion  of  fighting  men." 

The  following  is  from  Hamersley's  "Lives  of 
Regular  Officers  who  served  in  the  War  of  the  Re 
bellion" : 

"General    Burt   was   born    in    Cincinnati,    Ohio, 


182 


HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 


November  21,  1839.  In  April,  1861,  he  volun 
teered  in  the  Sixth  Ohio  Infantry,  and  was  subse 
quently  made  a  sergeant.  The  same  year  he  ac 
cepted  a  first  lieutenancy  in  the  Eighteenth  United 
States  Infantry,  with  which  command  he  went  into 
the  field  in  1861.  The  command  was  attached  to 
the  Third  Brigade,  First  Division  of  the  Army  of 
the  Ohio,  Colonel  Robert  L.  McCook  and  Brig 
adier-General  George  H.  Thomas  commanding, 
respectively.  Lieutenant  Burt  was  detailed  as  aide- 
de-camp  on  the  brigade  staff.  At  the  battle  of  Mill 
Springs  he  was  wounded,  and  was  brevetted  cap 
tain  for  gallant  service;  he  was  appointed  additional 
aide-de-camp  on  the  staff  of  General  Halleck  and 
assigned  to  serve  with  Colonel  McCook.  The  same 
year  he  was  made  assistant  adjutant-general  of  the 
brigade,  and  continued  as  such  until  Colonel  Mc- 
Cook's  death. 

"In  January,  1863,  he  reported  to  General  Rose- 
crans,  commanding  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland, 
and  by  him  was  assigned  to  the  inspector-general's 
department  of  his  staff,  serving  so  through 
Hoover's  Gap  and  Tullahoma  campaigns,  advance 
beyond  Chattanooga,  and  in  the  battle  of  Chicka- 
mauga.  He  was  commended  in  reports  by  the 
commanding  general  for  services  in  the  campaign 
and  battle  of  Chickamauga.  Captain  Burt  was 
specially  mentioned  for  gallant  service  in  that  battle 
by  Major-General  Alexander  McCook,  command 
ing  a  corps. 

"In  the  fall  of  1863,  at  his  own  request,  he  relin- 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  I §3 

quished  his  staff  appointment  and  took  command « 
of  his  Company  F,  First  Battalion,  Eighteenth  In 
fantry.  He  commanded  that  company  in  the 
charge  on  Missionary  Ridge.  General  Palmer, 
commanding,  immediately  after  the  victorious 
assault,  thanked  the  company  for  its.  gallant  sendee 
on  that  occasion. 

"Captain  Burt  commanded  his  Company  F, 
Eighteenth  Infantry,  part  of  the  Regular  Brigade 
of  the  Fourteenth  Army  Corps,  in  the  Atlanta  cam 
paign,  and  was  in  the  actions  participated  in  by 
his  regiment  from  Buzzard's  Roost  to  Jonesboro, 
and  received  the  personal  thanks  of  the  detachment 
commander  for  gallant  service  in  the  last  battle. 
He  was  mentioned  in  reports  for  services  in  the 
Atlanta  campaign  by  the  detachment  commander, 
as  well  as  by  General  Thomas.  He  was  brevetted 
major,  1864,  for  gallant  services  in  the  Atlanta  cam 
paign  and  at  the  battle  of  Jonesboro.  Major  Burt 
marched,  in  1866,  with  his  company  from  Fort 
Leavenworth  to>  Fort  Bridger. 

"In  the  fall  of  1877,  while  in  command  of  a  de 
tachment  of  recruits  en  route  to>  Fort  McKinney, 
he  was  attacked  by  Indians  under  Red  Cloud,  at 
Crazy  Woman's  Fork,  and  the  Indians  were  beaten 
off.  ' 

"While  in  command  of  Fort  C.  F.  Smith,  Mon 
tana,  in  1868,  he  had  two*  successful  skirmishes 
with  hostile  Indians.  From  1865  until  1878,  Major 
Burt,  in  command  of  his  company,  was  nearly 
every  year  changing  stations  or  on  expeditions  with 


184          HISTORY    OF    THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

.all  the  difficulties  of  marching-  on  the  frontier  in 
the  hostile  Indian  days. 

"He  was  in  Stanley's  Yellowstone  expedition  in 
1873;  with  Colonel  Dodge's  command  as  escort  to 
the  Jenny  expedition  to  the  Black  Hills  in  1875; 
General  Crook's  expedition,  1876,  and  commanded 
a  battalion  of  two  companies  in  the  attack  by  Indi 
ans  on  the  command  camped  on  Powder  River. 

"At  the  battle  of  the  Rosebud,  General  Crook, 
having  ordered  the  withdrawal  of  Colonel  Royal's 
battalion  of  cavalry  from  a  certain  position  on  the 
field,  the  retreat  became  a  route  under  the  Indians' 
hand-to-hand  assault.  Major  Burt,  with  his  com 
pany,  and  that  of  Major  Burrows,  was  detailed  'to 
stop  those  Indians,'  which  the  two  companies  did, 
and  the  hard-pressed  cavalry  battalion  was  rescued 
from  a  precarious  position. 

"At  'Slim  Buttes,'  same  campaign,  Major  Burt 
commanded  a  battalion  in  the  repulse  of  an  Indian 
attack. 

"In  1877,  Major  Burt,  with  his  company,  was 
part  of  General  King's  command,  sent  to  Chicago 
during  the  riots, 

"In  1879,  his  company  was  especially  selected  to 
proceed  to  Hastings,  Nebraska,  to  protect  Judge 
Gaslin  in  holding  court  against  the  possible  inter 
ference  of  hostile  cowboys,  some  of  their  number 
being  tried  at  the  time  for  an  atrocious  murder. 
The  Major  and  his  company  received  public  thanks 
and  commendation  of  Judge  Gaslin  and  the  offi 
cials  for  the  manner  in  which  the  duty  was  per 
formed  on  this  occasion. 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  I  $5 

"While  in  command  of  Fort  Bidwell,  California, 
in  1885,  the  citizens  of  that  region,  in  a  series  of 
published  resolutions,  thanked  Major  Burt  for  his 
excellent  efforts  in  preventing  an  Indian  outbreak. 

"He  was  promoted  Lieutenant-Colonel  of  the 
Seventh  Infantry,  January  i,  1888,  and  to<  Colonel 
of  the  Twenty-fifth  United  States  Infantry  in  1896. 

"General  Burt  is  the  author  of  W.   F.   Cody's 
(Buffalo  Bill)  most  successful  play,  'May  Cody,  or 
Lost  and  Won/  " 
Summary  of  his  Military  History  :— 

Private,  Company  A,  Sixth  Ohio. 

Sergeant,  Company  A,  Sixth  Ohio. 

Captain,  Aide-de-Camp. 

First  Lieutenant,  Eighteenth  U.  S.  Infantry. 

Major,  Eighth  U.  S.  Infantry. 

Lieutenant-Colonel,  Seventh  U.  S.  Infantry. 

Colonel,  Twenty-fifth  U.  S.  Infantry. 

Brigadier-General,  First  Brigade,  Second  Divi 
sion,  Seventh  Army  Corps,  U.  S.  Volunteers. 

Mustered  out  as  Brigadier-General  Volunteers, 
December  31,  1898,  returning  to  his  old  command, 
the  Twenty-fifth  U.  S.  Infantry,  now  stationed  at 
Fort  Logan,  Colorado. 

General  Burt  is  somewhat  of  a  "joiner,"  being  a 
member  of  the  Society  of  Colonial  Wars,  State  of 
Illinois;  Sons  of  the  Revolution,  Montana;  Society 
of  the  War  of  1812;  Loyal  Legion,  Ohio  Chapter; 
Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.  He  is  also  a  Mason, 
and  a  member  of  St.  Omer  Commanclery  No.  9, 
Knights  Templar,  Missoula,  Montana,  While  at 


1 86 


HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 


Jacksonville,  Florida,  he  had  the  nerve  to  join  the 
"Shrine,"  notwithstanding  the  fact  that  many  of 
his  officers  were  "Shriners"  and  "out  of  a  job." 
These  "Shriners,"  as  well  as  the  General  himself, 
will  not  soon  forget  that  evening. 

In  returning  to  his  old  rank  and  command  in 
the  regular  establishment,  the  General  takes  with 
him  the  affection  and  best  wishes  of  the  entire 
roster  of  the  soldiers  of  the  Second  Illinois.  In  the 
words  of  one  of  them,  "He's  the  right  stuff." 


OLD  GLORY. 


CHAPTER  XV 

STAFF. 
COLONEL   GEORGE    M.   MOULTON 

Colonel  Moulton,  commanding  the  Second  Illi 
nois  Volunteer  Infantry,  was  born  in  Readsboro, 
Vermont,  March  15,  1851,  inheriting  a  robust  and 
hardy  constitution  that  has  proved  of  inestimable 
value  to  him,  He  came  early  in  life  to  Chicago. 
Educated  at  the  public  schools  of  that  city,  he  ab 
sorbed  readily  the  spirit  of  self-reliance  which  dis 
tinguishes  the  youth  of  Chicago.  He  married  Miss 
Flora  A.  Garland,  a  lady  who  has  been  to  him  a 
constant  and  helpful  companion,  and  whose  untir 
ing  efforts  on  behalf  of  the  sick  of  the  regiment  dur 
ing  the  campaign  earned  for  her  the  respect  and 
affection  of  the  officers  and  men  of  the  command. 

Two  children  have  been  born  to  Colonel  and 
Mrs.  Moulton,  Edith  May  (now  Mrs.  J.  H.  Mur 
phy)  and  Arthur  Garland. 

The  Colonel  has  been  by  profession  for  many 
years  a  successful  contractor  and  builder  on  an  ex 
tensive  scale,  his  firm  being  specially  noted  for  the 
construction  of  grain  elevators. 

His  patriotism  and  public  spirit  have  found 
expression  in  the  military  service  of  the  state,  to 

187 


COL.   GEORGE   M.   MOULTON. 

1 88 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  I #9 

which  he  has  been  long  a  prominent  and  distin 
guished  ornament. 

Taking  no  conspicuous  part  in  politics,  he  has 
never  sought  advancement  along  that  line,  though 
his  shrewdness,  tact,  and  sagacity,  combined  with 
sterling  honesty  and  straightforwardness,  render 
him  eminently  fit  for  high  public  office. 

In  Masonic  circles  he  has  reached  a  high  position 
and  possesses  hosts  of  friends.  He  is  Very  Emi 
nent  Grand  Generalissimo  of  the  Grand  Encamp 
ment. 

During  the  Spanish  war  his  evident  merit  at 
tracted  the  attention  of  his  military  superiors,  and 
caused  his  appointment  to  the  important  and  oner 
ous  position  of  Chief  of  Police  of  the  city  of 
Havana, 

The  fact  that  the  Second  Illinois  was  second  to 
none  in  the  volunteer  army  was  mainly  due  to 
Colonel  Moulton's  foresight,  watchful  care  and  an 
intimate  knowledge  of  military  duty,  as  well  as  to 
his  business  aptitude  and  untiring  energy. 

MILITARY    RECORD. 

Colonel  Moulton  enlisted  in  the  Second  Regi 
ment,  and  was  elected  Major  July  ist,  1884,  which 
position  he  held  until  January  4,  1889.  In  1893 
General  Wheeler  nominated  him  as  Inspector  of 
Rifle  Practice  on  his  staff,  and  he  was  commis 
sioned  as  Lieutenant-Colonel;  and  on  February  17, 
1894,  he  was  elected  and  commissioned  Colonel  of 
the  Second  Illinois  National  Guard,  which  position 


19°          HISTORY    OF   THE   SECOND    REGIMENT 

he  held  at  the  time  of  the  President's  call  for  troops. 
He  arranged  his  business  interests  so  as  to  be 
absent  for  an  indefinite  time,  and  was  in  service 
with  the  regiment  until  April  26,  1899,  when  he 
was  mustered  out  of  the  United  States  service,  but 
still  holds  the  position  of  Colonel  of  the  Second 
Regiment  of  Illinois  National  Guards,  and  will  until 
his  successor  is  elected  and  commissioned.  Every 
man  in  the  regiment,  so  far  as  is  known,  wants  to 
see  him  reflected  or  advanced  to  the  grade  of 
Brigadier-General.  He  knows  how  to  handle  and 
care  for  men. 

LIEUTENANT-COLONEL    WILLIAM      DYE     HOTCH- 
KISS. 

The  second  in  command  of  the  Second,  is  a 
native  Chicagoan,  and  was  born  April  18,  1857. 
He  was  educated  in  the  Chicago  public  and  high 
schools  and  later  took  a  two  years'  course  in  the 
Massachusetts  Institute  of  Technology,  during 
which  time  he  also  took  the  military  course  in 
engineering,  signal  corps,  artillery,  and  infantry 
branches.  Returning  to  Chicago,  he  engaged  in 
the  profession  of  civil  engineer  and  was  at  various 
times  employed  by  the  various  railroads  entering 
Chicago. 

He  was  employed  by  the  old  Atlantic  and  Pacific 
Railway  Co.,  and  the  Atchison,  Topeka  &  Santa 
Fe  Railway  Co.  during  the  extension  of  their  lines 
through  New  Mexico  and  Colorado,  and  also  by 
the  Chicago  &  Northwestern  Railway  Co.  during 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  191 

the  extension  of  their  lines  through  the  Northwest. 
For  the  past  twelve  years  he  has  been  in  the  employ 
of  the  city  of  Chicago,  and  has  engaged  in  nearly  all 
of  the  great  engineering  projects  of  the  city  in  that 
time. 


LIEUT.-COL.  W.  D.  HOTCHKISS. 

In  1883  he  married  Miss  Carrie  E.  Carr,  and  two 
children  are  the  result  of  the  union:  Charles  C, 
aged  thirteen  years,  and  Allita  Frances,  aged  seven 
years. 

Colonel  Hotchkiss'  father,  General  C.  T.  Hotch- 


I92  HISTORY    OF    THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

kiss,  is  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  War,  and  it  is  but 
natural  that  the  son  should  inherit  the  military 
ardor  of  the  father.  Indeed,  the  Colonel  avers  that 
he  knew  the  "manual  of  arms"  as  far  back  as  he  can 
remember,  so  when,  early  in  1887,  he  was  chosen 
First  Lieutenant  of  Company  B,  Second  Infantry, 
Illinois  National  Guards,  it  was  but  the  natural 
course  of  events,  destined  to  be  the  starting  point 
of  a  creditable  military  career.  Early  in  1888  he 
was  elected  to  the  Captaincy  of  the  company.  In 
1890  he  was  elected  Lieutenant-Colonel,  and  was 
mustered  into  the  United  States  service  as  such, 
May  1 6,  1898. 

Early  in  June,  1898,  when  Major  Stuart  was  de 
tailed  on  special  duty  by  the  war  department, 
Colonel  Hotchkiss  assumed  command  of  the  First 
Battalion,  and  continued  until  Colonel  Moulton 
left  for  Havana,  when  he  took  command  of  the 
regiment.  Early  in  December,  1898,  while 
the  regiment  was  at  Savannah,  Georgia,  Colonel 
Moulton  received  orders  to  proceed  to  Havana  in 
advance  of  his  command,  and  assume  the  duties  of 
Chief  of  Police  of  the  city  of  Havana,  This  left 
Colonel  Hotchkiss  in  command,  and  it  was  under 
his  leadership  the  regiment  went  to  Cuba.  Jan 
uary  i,  1899,  the  regiment,  under  his  command, 
participated  in  the  ceremonies  incidental  to  the 
evacuation  of  the  city  of  Havana  by  the  Spanish, 
and  as  part  of  the  Seventh  Corps,  paraded  through 
the  principal  streets  of  Havana,  under  General  Fitz- 
hngh  Lee. 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  193 

Colonel  Hotchkiss  is  a  hard-working,  studious 
officer,  and  as  senior  field  officer  of  the  regiment, 
constituted  that  august  body,  the  regimental  "Sum 
mary  Court,"  before  whom  is  brought  the  soldier 
who  imprudently  violates  certain  articles  of  the 
inexorable  "Articles  of  War."  The  duties  of 
the  office  are  trying  in  the  extreme,  but  Colonel 
Hotchkiss  impartially,  and  without  fear  or  favor, 
dispensed  military  justice  with  a  firm  hand,  and  his 
decisions  were  accepted  without  question. 

Personally,  Colonel  Hotchkiss  is  quiet  and  unas 
suming,  with  a  capacity  for  hard  work,  and  all  his 
efforts  are  marked  by  extreme  conscientiousness 
and  his  sincerity  in  all  his  actions  has  never  been 
questioned.  He  is  a  lover  of  the  horse,  and  prob 
ably  spent  more  time  in  the  saddle  than  any  officer 
in  the  regiment. 

He  is  a  member  of  the  Western  Society  of  Engi 
neers,  and  is  a  man  of  domestic  inclinations,  his 
home  life  being  highly  felicitous, 

MAJOR  G.  FRANK  LYDSTON. 

Major  Lydston  was  born  March  3,  1858,  amid 
the  oranges  and  sunshine  of  California.  He 
received  his  early  education  in  the  land  of 
flowers,  and  early  in  the  '/o's  removed  to  Chicago, 
where  he  continued  the  study  of  the  profession  of 
which  he  no\v  stands  at  the  head.  He  was  grad 
uated  later  from  the  Bellevue  Medical  College, 
New  York,  as  physician  and  Surgeon,  and  returned 
to  Chicago,  where  he  commenced  the  practice 
which  has  since  brought  him  fame  and  fortune. 


*94          HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

To-day,  Major  Lydston  is  recognized  to  be  one 
of  the  foremost  physicians  and  surgeons  in  Amer 
ica  and  as  an  authority  on  genito-urinary  surgery 
is  acknowledged  to  be  without  a  peer  in  this  coun 
try.  He  is  a  prolific  and  voluminous  writer,  both 
from  a  medical  and  literary  standpoint,  and  his 
essays  on  medical  and  surgical  questions  are  re 
ceived  with  the  greatest  of  interest  throughout  the 
medical  world.  He  is  a  member  of  the  faculty  of 
the  College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons  of  Chicago, 
and  probably  enjoys  one  of  the  largest  private  prac 
tices  in  the  West. 

Notwithstanding  his  busy  professional  life,  he 
early  evinced  a  liking  for  the  military.  In  1876  he 
enlisted  in  the  First  Infantry,  Illinois  National 
Guard,  then  organizing,  and  served  throughout 
that  year  and  the  following  year.  His  rapidly 
growing  practice  prevented  his  continuance  in  the 
state  service.  March  2,  1894,  he  reentered  the 
service  as  Major  and  Surgeon  on  the  staff  of 
Colonel  Moulton.  He  was  mustered  into  the 
United  States  service  as  such  May  14,  1898,  and 
the  fact  that  only  fifty-one  members  out  of  over 
one  thousand  one  hundred  that  reported  at  Spring 
field,  Illinois,  with  the  regiment  were  rejected  for 
physical  defects,  speaks  volumes  for  the  careful  and 
efficient  manner  Major  Lydston  looked  after  the 
caliber  of  men  he  passed  upon  as  fit  to  enter  the 
state  service. 

It  did  not  take  long,  after  the  regiment's  arrival 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  195 


MAJOR  G.  F.  LYDSTON. 

in  Jacksonville,  Florida,  for  the  division  and  corps 
officials  to  recognize  Major  Lydston's  ability  as  a 
surgeon,  and  whenever  a  serious  case  for  the  sur 
geon  made  its  appearance,  he  was  called  upon  to 
handle  it.  To  such  an  extent  did  this  practice 
grow  that  it  was  intimated  to  the  Major  that  he  was 
to  be  detailed  as  chief  operating  surgeon  of  the 
Second  Division  Hospital.  The  Major  investi 
gated  the  rumor  and  found  it  to  be  true.  He  could 
not  see  the  justice  of  such  a  move,  and  held  that  he 
had  given  up  a  lucrative  practice  to>  go  to  the  front 
with  his  regiment,  and  believed  that  he  was  doing 


196          HISTORY    OF    THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

his  duty  to  his  country  and  regiment  by  taking 
care  of  "his  own  boys,"  and  further  than  this  no 
one  could  ask  more.  He  emphasized  his  refusal  to 
be  separated  from  his  regiment,  and  his  action  was 
heartily  endorsed  by  every  member  of  the  regiment, 
who  had  come  to  admire  and  respect  their  efficient 
surgeon.  The  intention  of  the  "powers  that  be" 
could  not  be  altered,  however,  and  much  to  the 
regret  of  himself  and  the  regiment,  he  was  forced 
to  resign,  rather  than  to  disobey  the  forthcoming 
order  that  would  separate  him  from  his  comrades 
of  the  Second  Illinois.  This  occurred  June  21, 
1898,  and  his  departure  was  deplored  as  a  personal 
affliction  by  the  entire  regiment. 

The  Major  is  a  married  man,  and  is  the  father  of 
two  children.  He  is  a  member  of.  various  literary 
and  medical  societies  and  has  also  a  membership  in 
the  St.  Bernard  Commandery  K.  T.,  Chicago,  and 
the  Oriental  Consistory,  S.  P.  R.  S. 

MAJOR  AND  SURGEON    GEORGE  PAUL   MARQUIS. 

Dr.  Marquis  is  a  Pennsylvanian  from  Allegheny. 
He  was  born  on  September  12,  1868,  but  at  an 
early  age  took  Horace  Greeley's  advice. 

His  primary  education  was  received  at  the  public 
schools  of  St.  Louis  and  Chicago,  and  after  com 
pleting  his  course  in  the  high  school  of  the  latter 
city,  he  proceeded  to  Washington  Jefferson  Col 
lege,  in  Washington,  in  his  native  state,  graduating 
with  the  degree  of  A.B.  in  1889.  Returning  to 
Chicago,  he  entered  the  Chicago  Medical  College 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY 


I97 


(now  the  medical  department  of  Northwestern 
University),  and  graduated  with  the  degree  of  M.D. 
in  1892,  and  during  the  same  year  received  the 
degree  of  A.M.  from  his  alma  mater.  He  was 
appointed  Attending  Surgeon  at  the  World's 


MAJOR  GEORGE  P.  MARQUIS. 

Columbian  Exposition,  and  shortly  after  its  close 
went  abroad,  spending  two  years  in  post  graduate 
study  in  Berlin  and  Vienna,  where  he  acquired  the 
excellent  German  accent  which  is  the  envy  of  his 
friends. 

Dr.  Marquis  has  an  excellent  practice  as  a  physi- 


19  HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

cian  and  surgeon  in  Chicago,  which  he  relin 
quished  to  proceed  to  the  front  with  his  regiment 
at  the  President's  call  to  arms  in  April,  1898.  He 
then  occupied  the  post  of  Assistant  Surgeon  to  the 
Second  Regiment,  Illinois  National  Guard.  On 
the  retirement  of  Dr.  Lydston  in  June,  Dr.  Mar 
quis  was  at  once  selected  as  the  former's  successor 
as  Major  and  Surgeon,  a  choice  subsequent  events 
proved  to  be  a  most  judicious  one.  His  knowl 
edge  of  sanitation,  his  devotion  to  duty,  and  profes 
sional  skill,  did  much  to  keep  down  the  outbreak 
of  sickness  in  Jacksonville,  and  to  minimize  fatal 
results.  His  services  during  the  campaign  were 
without  a  break  except  when  for  one  brief  period 
illness  caused  an  intermission,  at  which  time  the 
excellence  of  the  organization  of  the  regimental 
hospital  prevented  any  difficulty  attending  its  tem 
porary  transfer  to  the  hands  of  Lieutenant  Porter. 
Major  Marquis  is  unmarried  as  yet,  but  has 
plenty  of  time  in  which  to  repent. 

MILITARY   RECORD. 

First  Lieutenant  and  Assistant  Surgeon  Second 
Illinois  National  Guard;  First  Lieutenant  and 
Assistant  Surgeon  Second  Illinois  Volunteer  In 
fantry,  April  26,  1898,  to  July  i,  1898;  Major  and 
Surgeon  Second  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry  since 
July  2,  1898. 


CAPT.  JAMES  P.  SHERWIN. 


199 


HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 
CAPTAIN  JAMES  P.  SHERWIN. 

Captain  Sherwin  was  born  in  Gouverneur,  N.  Y., 
51  years  ago,  and  removed  to  Chicago  while  a 
young  man  and  began  an  active  business  career  in 
that  city.  He  is  a  Board  of  Trade  operator  by 
profession  and  is  interested  in  several  Chicago 
enterprises.  He  began  his  military  career  March 
2,  1894,  as  Captain  and  Inspector  of  Rifle  Practice 
on  the  staff  of  Colonel  Moulton,  and  saw  active 
service  throughout  the  great  railroad  strikes  of  that 
year.  February  i,  1895,  he  was  made  Adjutant  of 
the  regiment  and  entered  the  service  of  the  United 
States  as  such,  with  the  regiment  on  May  16,  1898. 
During  the  regiment's  long  stay  in  the  South  the 
Captain's  health  was  not  of  the  best,  and  matters 
became  so  serious  that  December  10,  1898,  he  was 
reluctantly  forced  to  tender  his  resignation.  The 
acceptance,  however,  was  not  received  until  after 
the  regiment  reached  Havana,  December  I5th,  and 
he  had  the  honor  of  accompanying  the  regiment  to 
Cuba. 

Captain  Sherwin  proved  to  be  an  efficient  and 
conscientious  officer  and  his  attention  to  the  detail 
work  of  his  office  was  a  subject  of  commendation, 
and  much  of  the  regiment's  splendid  record  for 
work,  ably  and  efficiently  performed,  may  be  traced 
to  Captain  Sherwin's  able  conduct  of  the  office  of 
Adjutant. 

In  civil  life  the  Captain  is  prominent  in  social  and 
Masonic  circles,  and  is  a  member  of  Chevalier  Bay- 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY 


2OI 


ard  Commandery,  No.  52,  K.  T.  of  Chicago,  of 
which  he  is  Past  Commander;  Oriental  Consistory, 
S.  P.  R.  S.  of  Chicago,  and  Medinah  Temple  A.  A. 
O.  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  of  Chicago. 
He  is  Past  Grand  Commander  of  the  State  of 
Illinois  Knights  Templars,  and  is  also  prominent  in 
club  circles. 


CAPT.  F.  W.  LAAS. 

CAPTAIN    AND  QUARTERMASTER  FREDERICK  \V. 
LAAS. 

Captain  Laas  was  born  in  Muskegon,  Michigan, 
April  4,  1864,  but  his  parents  moved  to  Chicago 
in  time  for  him  to  receive  his  education  in  the  pub- 


HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

lie  schools  of  that  city.  At  the  age  of  sixteen  Cap 
tain  Laas  enlisted  in  Troop  E,  First  Cavalry  Illinois 
National  Guard,  and  from  that  time  his  service  in 
one  branch  or  another  of  the  National  Guard  of 
Illinois  has  been  continuous.  Captain  Laas  at  the 
outbreak  of  the  war  was  Quartermaster  in  the 
Second  Illinois  National  Guard,  and  retained  the 
same  position  in  the  Second  Illinois  Volunteer 
Infantry.  The  man  fitted  the  occasion  and  the 
occasion  fitted  the  man.  The  duties  of  his  difficult 
office  were  discharged  to  the  satisfaction  of  all, 
superiors  and  inferiors  alike,  and  when  that  happy 
and  unusual  result  is  achieved  it  may  truly  be  said 
that  there  is  the  right  man  in  the  right  place. 

The  hard  work  and  responsibility  attaching  to 
the  equipping  and  clothing  a  regiment  for  the  field 
is  a  matter  that  can  hardly  be  realized  by  those  who 
have  not  had  practical  experience  of  the  difficulties, 
worries,  annoyances,  and  rebuffs  experienced. 
This  he  did  at  first;  subsequently  Captain  Stephen 
P.  Thompson  became  commissary  officer,  and 
shared  the  responsibilities.  All  these  obstacles 
were  successfully  surmounted  by  the  genial  Quar 
termaster  of  the  Second  Illinois,  who,  in  spite  of  his 
close  attention  to>  duty  and  indefatigable  efforts, 
enjoys  the  distinction  of  being  the  one  officer  who 
was  never  sick  or  sorry  from  first  to  last,  and  who 
never  had  a  day's  leave  from  the  beginning  to  the 
end  of  the  campaign. 

The  following  is  Captain  Laas'  military  record: 
Captain  Laas  enlisted  in  Troop  E  on  September 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER   INFANTRY  -03 

i,  1880;  served  in  different  capacities  in  the 
National  Guard  until  May  16,  1898,  and  was  then 
mustered  as  Captain  and  Quartermaster,  which 
position  he  held  until  the  muster  out  of  the  regi 
ment. 


CAPT.  S.  B.  THOMPSON. 
CAPTAIN  STEPHEN  B.  THOMPSON, 

Captain  Thompson  was  born  May  6,  1849,  on  a 
farm  near  Nineveh,  Greene  county,  Pennsylvania, 
and  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  that 
county.  At  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  in  1861, 
he  proceeded  to  Camp  Howe,  Pittsburg,  and  was 
enrolled  as  a  drummer  boy.  Although  under  the 


204          HISTORY    OF   THE   SECOND    REGIMENT 

legal  age  for  enlistment,  he  was  a  stout  lad  for  his 
years  and  a  year  later  he  succeeded  in  enlisting  as 
a  private  in  Troop  C,  Eighteenth  Pennsylvania 
Volunteer  Cavalry,  and  served  continuously  in  the 
same  troop  during  the  war,  being  mustered  out  as 
a  sergeant  November  4,  1865. 

During  the  years  1862-63  his  command  was  a 
part  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  under  General 
Kilpatrick.  His  regiment  participated  in  the 
Gettysburg  campaign,  and  in  1863  was  transferred 
to  the  Army  of  the  Shenandoah  and  assigned  to 
the  Third  Division  Cavalry  Corps,  commanded  by 
the  lamented  General  George  A.  Custer.  His 
troop  participated  in  every  engagement  of  Sheri 
dan's  Army  up  to  and  including  Rockfish  Gap, 
Virginia,  March  6,  1865,  at  which  place  he  was 
wounded,-  but  recovered  and  rejoined  his  troop  in 
the  summer  at  Clarksburg,  Virginia. 

After  the  war  Captain  Thompson  entered  upon 
an  active  business  career,  and,  at  the  present  time, 
is  a  part  owner  of  the  Bank  of  Montpelier,  Mont- 
pelier,  Idaho,  and  a  stockholder  and  director  of  the 
Fenton  Metallic  Mfg.  Co.,  of  Jamestown,  N.  Y., 
being  general  manager  of  the  Western  interests  of 
the  company,  besides  being  interested  in  numerous 
other  Western  enterprises.  His  business  has  neces 
sitated  his  traveling  a  great  deal,  and  it  is  doubtful 
if  there  is  a  town  from  San  Francisco  to  Boston 
where  the  fame  of  Captain  "Steve"  is  unknown. 
He  is  a  splendid  type  of  the  wide-awake,  progres 
sive  business  man  of  to-day,  and  his  friends  are 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  205 

legion  throughout  the  United  States.  He  ranks 
high  in  Masonic  and  social  circles,  and  is  a  member 
of  Olive  Branch  Lodge  No.  38,  A.  F.  and  A.  M.; 
St.  Bernard  Commandery,  K.  T.,  Chicago; Oriental 
Consistory,  S.  P.  R.  S.,  Chicago;  Medinah  Temple, 
Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  Chicago;  Damascus 
Lodge,  No.  84,  K.  P.,  Danville,  111.;  a  member  of 
the  Chapter  and  Council  of  the  A.  F.  and  A.  M.  of 
Danville,  111.;  charter  member  of  Columbia  Post 
No.  706,  G.  A.  R.,  Chicago;  and  has  been  a  mem 
ber  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Illinois  Odd  Fellows  for 
ten  years.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Iroquois  and 
Chicago  Athletic  Clubs  of  Chicago. 

Captain  Thompson  is  a  warm  personal  friend  of 
Colonel  Moulton,  and  during  the  regiment's  ser 
vice  in  the  great  strikes  of  1894  he  voluntarily 
appeared  upon  the  scene  and  insisted  upon  attach 
ing  himself  to  Colonel  Moulton's  staff.  Although 
there  was  no  vacancy  in  the  staff  at  the  time,  he 
remained,  serving  without  pay  or  rank,  and  ren 
dered  valuable  aid  to  the  regiment  in  various  ways. 
His  devotion  and  zeal  were  not  long  unrecognized 
and  May,  1895,  Colonel  Moulton  made  him  an 
official  member  of  his  staff  by  appointing  him  Cap 
tain  and  Inspector  of  Rifle  Practice,  which  rank  he 
held  up  to  the  time  the  regiment  was  mustered  into 
the  volunteer  service.  At  this  time  it  was  discov 
ered  that  the  Army  Regulations  did  not  provide  for 
an  inspector  of  rifle  practice,  and  the  mustering 
officers  refused  to  muster  Captain  Thompson  as 
such.  This  decision  did  not  disconcert  the  re- 


206          HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 


DOCTOR  FRANK  DnWlTT  TALMAGE. 

doubtable  "Steve"  a  bit,  for  he  immediately 
announced  his  intention  of  going  with  the  regiment 
as  a  private  soldier.  This  was  not  necessary,  how 
ever,  for  Colonel  Moulton  solved  the  difficulty  by 
appointing  him  Adjutant  of  the  Third  Battalion, 
and  as  such  he  was  mustered  into  the  United  States 
service,  May  16,  1898.  Upon  the  regiment's 
arrival  at  Jacksonville,  Florida,  Colonel  Moulton 
appointed  him  Ordnance  Officer  and  Commissary 
of  Subsistence  of  the  regiment.  During  the  com 
mand's  tour  of  duty  in  Havana,  Cuba,  Captain 
Thompson  was  detailed  as  Inspector  of  Police  of 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER   INFANTRY  207 

the  city  of  Havana,  and  was  a  prominent  factor  in 
the  establishment  of  the  first  police  force  organized 
in  that  city  under  American  rule. 

Captain  Thompson  is  a  bachelor  of  bohemian 
proclivities,  and  is  at  his  best  when  surrounded  by 
a  select  coterie  of  genial  spirits,  and  his  ready  wit, 
brilliant  repartee,  and  his  ability  as  a  reconteur  is 
everywhere  recognized  to  the  extent  that  his  very 
presence  in  a  gathering  is  a  sufficient  guaranty  that 
the  affair  will  not  lack  any  of  the  humorous  essen 
tials  so  necessary  in  a  function  of  this  kind.  Cap 
tain  Thompson  returns  to  civil  life  with  the  well 
wishes  and  respect  of  both  officers  and  enlisted  men 
of  the  regiment. 

DR.  TALMAGE. 
\ 

Rev.  Frank  DeWitt  Talmage  was  born  Novem 
ber  29,  1867,  in  Philadelphia,  where  his  father  then 
resided.  His  early  education  was  received  at  the 
Polytechnic  Institute,  of  Brooklyn,  and  the  Sing 
Sing  Military  Academy.  In  1886  he  entered  New 
York  University,  and  at  graduation  received  the 
honor  of  being  selected  orator  of  his  class.  Wish 
ing  to  study  for  the  ministry,  Mr.  Talmage  entered 
the  Union  Theological  Seminary.  Years  ago  he 
went  to  Pittsburg,  as  pastor  of  the  Second  Pres 
byterian  Church.  While  a  student,  Mr.  Tal 
mage  delivered  a  series  of  lectures  on  the  "Best 
Place  to  Live  In,"  and  the  "Uses  of  Laughter," 
earning  for  himself  the  reputation  of  an  elo 
quent,  logical  and  entertaining  speaker.  His  ser- 


20S 


HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 


mons  are  sincerely  scriptural,  full  of  good  gospel, 
helpful  and  uplifting  to  all  who  hear  them.  Mr. 
Talmage's  style  is  pleasing;  he  speaks  extem 
poraneously,  drawing  illustrations  from  his  own 
experience  and  observation,  as  well  as  from  history 
and  anecdote.  His  acquaintance  with  literature  is 
extensive;  his  culture  gives  him  a  grasp  of  the 
essential  points  and  phases  of  the  questions  touched 
upon,  and  he  displays  a  nice  appreciation  of  senti 
ment  and  pathos,  frequently  causing  his  audiences 
to  weep.  His  personality  is  peculiarly  interesting 
and  magnetic.  His  lectures  have  extended  through 
many  states  and  cities,  and  no  matter  where  he  goes 
he  is  greeted  with  large  audiences. 

Dr.  Talmage  succeeded  Dr.  Bolton  as  Chaplain 
of  the  Second  Illinois  National  Guard  in  October, 
1897,  and  joined  the  volunteer  service  in  May, 
1898;  went  with  the  regiment  to  Jacksonville,  Flor 
ida,  and  on  the  loth  of  June  tendered  his  resigna 
tion  and  returned  to  his  pastorate,  Jefferson  Park 
Presbyterian  Church,  Chicago,  much  to  the  delight 
of  his  people. 

LIEUTENANT  FRANK.  W.  MECHENER. 

Ordinarily  "ye  adjutant"  of  a  regiment  is  about 
the  biggest  man  in  the  regiment,  the  commanding 
officer  excepted,  of  course.  The  Second  Illinois 
is  an  exception  to  the  rule  in  this  instance,  for  the 
Adjutant,  or  rather,  the  Acting  Adjutant,  the  sub 
ject  of  this  sketch,  who  has  acted  as  Adjutant  six 
of  the  twelve  months  of  the  regiment's  year  of  ser- 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER   INFANTRY 


209 


vice,  is  considered  the  smallest  officer  in  the  regi 
ment;  that  is,  in  stature.  Everything  else  consid 
ered,  Lieutenant  Mechener  is  a  towering  giant,  if 
men's  stature  were  measured  by  their  deeds  and 
capacity  for  good  hard  work.  Lieutenant  Mech- 


CAPT.  F.  W.  MECHENER. 

ener  was  Adjutant  of  the  Second  Battalion,  and 
when  the  regimental  Adjutant  resigned  in  the  early 
part  of  December,  1898,  he  was  detailed  to  tempo 
rarily  fill  the  position,  which,  as  everyone  knows, 
is  one  of  the  most  important  offices  in  the  adminis 
tration  of  a  regiment.  Although  a  young  man, 
Lieutenant  Mechener  discharged  the  trying  duties 


HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

of  the  office  with  credit  to  himself  and  satisfaction 
to  his  commanding  officer.  His  conduct  of  the 
affairs  of  the  office  was  rewarded  by  Colonel  Moul- 
ton  recommending  his  appointment  as  Regimental 
Adjutant,  and  April  10,  1899,  he  received  his  com 
mission  as  such,  and  was  mustered  in  the  same  day. 

Lieutenant  Mechener  was  born  in  Sterling,  Iowa, 
July  16,  1872,  and  was  educated  in  the  Sabulajowa, 
public  high  school,  and  later,  in  1893,  was  grad 
uated  from  the  Northwestern  University  School  of 
Pharmacy.  He  is  a  practical  chemist  by  occupa 
tion  and  is  unmarried.  He  enlisted  originally  in 
Co.  F,  One  Hundred  and  Sixtieth  Indiana  National 
Guard,  May  13,  1891,  and  was  honorably  dis 
charged  May  12,  1894.  July  24,  1895,  he  reen- 
Hsted  in  Company  E  of  the  Second,  and  December 
8th  of  the  same  year  was  appointed  Sergeant. 
January  27,  1896,  he  was  elected  Second  Lieuten 
ant,  and  on  January  3Oth  of  the  following  year  was 
promoted  to  the  First  Lieutenancy.  October  20, 
1897,  he  was  appointed  Battalion  Adjutant,  and  as 
such  was  mustered  into  the  United  States  service 
May  1 6,  1898. 

Lieutenant  Mechener  is  a  horseman  of  no  mean 
ability,  and  during  the  regiment's  stay  in  Cuba  he 
made  numerous  excursions  into  the  interior  of  the 
island  on  horseback,  accompanied  usually  by  Major 
Purinton,  who  is  another  lover  of  the  horse. 

Lieutenant  Mechener  returns  to  civil  life  with 
the  well  wishes  of  the  officers  and  non-commis 
sioned  of  the  command  and  no  one  can  deny  him 
credit  for  duty  well  and  faithfully  done. 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  21 


FIRST  LIEUTENANT    AND    ASSISTANT    SURGEON 
JOHN  G.  BYRNE. 

Dr.  Byrne  was  born  in  the  City  of  the  Lakes  on 
January  22,  1871,  and  was  educated  at  Dennison 
University,  Granville,  Ohio,  and  at  Lake  Forrest 
University.  He  married  Miss  Annie  S.  Hewitt. 
A  physician  by  profession,  his  entry  into  the  Illinois 
National  Guard  was,  however,  not  in  the  medical 
department,  but  in  the  ranks.  After  passing 
through  the  various  grades,  he  became  a  hospital 
steward  in  1896,  being  commissioned  First  Lieu- 


ASSISTANT  SURGEON  J.  G.  BYRNE, 


212  HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

tenant  and  Assistant  Surgeon  in  the  following-  year. 
At  the  commencement  of  the  war  he  was  mustered 
into  the  United  States  service  in  the  same  rank. 
In  July,  1898,  he  was  placed  in  charge  of  the  ambu 
lance  company  of  the  Second  Division,  Seventh 
Army  Corps,  devoting  his  sole  attention  to  their 
instruction  for  two  months,  with  the  result  of  rais 
ing  them  to  a  high  degree  of  efficiency.  Much  to 
Dr.  Byrne's  regret  personal  circumstances  com 
pelled  his  resignation  on  September  26th. 

MILITARY   RECORD. 

Enlisted  Company  C  March  2,  1887;  transferred 
to  Company  E;  discharged  March  i,  1890.  Reen- 
listed  March  2,  1890.  Corporal  Company  E  May 
1 7th;  Sergeant  Company  E  December  15,  1890, 
later  First  Sergeant.  Discharged  March  i,  1893. 
Hospital  Steward  1896.  He  was  commissioned 
Assistant  Surgeon,  Illinois  National  Guard,  De 
cember  22,  1897.  Commissioned  First  Lieutenant 
Second  Illinois  Volunteers  May  16,  1898.  Was 
detailed  and  put  in  charge  of  Ambulance  Company 
July  i,  1898,  where  he  continued  until  he  resigned, 
September  28,  1898. 

FIRST  LIEUTENANT     AND    ASSISTANT    SURGEON 
RALPH  STRIBLING  PORTER. 

Dr.  Porter  is  a  native  of  Fairfield,  Iowa,  where 
he  was  born  on  November  22,  1875.  He  was  edu 
cated  at  the  Chicago  high  schools,  Rush  Medical 
College,  Lake  Forrest  University,  South-Eastern 
Kansas  Academy,  and  Chicago  Medical  College, 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  213 


ASSISTANT  SURGEON;  R.  s.  PORTER. 

Northwestern  University.  Dr.  Porter  is  a  young 
man,  and  being  recently  from  the  best  schools  of 
modern  medical  science  is  abreast  of  the  most  up-to- 
date  discoveries  and  ideas.  Commissioned  into  the 
Second  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry  on  July  2d,  at 
the  retirement  of  Dr.  Byrne,  it  was  not  long  before 
the  value  of  his  skill  and  devotion  to  his  duties 
made  themselves  apparent,  and  when  the  illness  of 
Major  Marquis  threw  the  whole  weight  of  responsi 
bility  upon  the  shoulders  of  Dr.  Porter  he  proved 
fully  equal  to  the  task — no  light  one,  as  this  was  at 
the  time  when  the  regiment  was  suffering  so  much 
from  the  typhoid  epidemic.  Dr.  Porter's  exertions 


214          HISTORY    OF   THE   SECOND    REGIMENT 

on  behalf  of  the  sick  eventually  laid  him  up  with 
the  same  disease  that  he  had  been  combating  in 
others,  and  for  some  time  he  was  seriously  ill,  but 
to  the  great  joy  of  the  regiment  he  eventually  re 
covered  and  resumed  the  position  he  was  so  well 
fitted  to  fill. 

Dr.  Porter  was  universally  popular  with  officers 
and  men  alike.  Gentlemanly  in  demeanor  and 
appearance,  he  was  the  beau-ideal  of  a  military 
medical  officer. 

FIRST  LIEUTENANT    AND    ASSISTANT    SURGEON 
THOMAS  WILBUR  BATH. 

Dr.  Bath  was  born  at  Tyr  Phyl,  in  Wales,  on 
March  18,  1863.  He  came  to  this  country  at  an 
early  age,  receiving  his  education  at  the  High 
School,  Cuba,  Illinois;  at  Adrian  College,  Michi 
gan,  and  at  the  St.  Louis  College  of  Physicians  and 
Surgeons.  He  married  Miss  Lulu  Hurdle,  and  has 
three  sons,  Hubert  Dexter,  Clarence  Kellogg,  and 
Thomas  Wilbur. 

Dr.  Bath  has  attained  a  considerable  eminence 
in  his  profession.  He  practiced  formerly  at  Ohio, 
Bureau  County,  Illinois,  and  latterly  at  Normal, 
Illinois.  A  general  practitioner,  his  experience  has 
been  of  the  kind  to  fit  him  more  peculiarly  for  the 
varied  duties  of  an  army  surgeon  than  the  pursuit 
of  any  special  branch  of  medical  study  would  have 
done.  He  was  secretary  of  the  McLain  County 
Medical  Society,  and  a  prominent  official  in  other 
kindred  associations.  He  acted  for  a  considerable 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY 


2I5 


period  as  special  Medical  Correspondent  for  the 
St.  Louis  "Clinic,"  his  contributions  bearing  the 
stamp  of  a  careful  and  thoughtful  observer,  and 
containing  matter  of  no  small  service  to  modern 
medical  science. 


ASSISTANT  SURGEON  T.  M.  BATH. 

Dr.  Bath  first  entered  the  United  States  service 
on  September  7,  1898,  as  acting  assistant  surgeon, 
and  was  assigned  to  duty  with  the  First  North 
Carolina,  and  later  with  the  Ninth  Illinois,  from 
both  of  which  he  earned  golden  opinions.  Trans 
ferred  to  the  Second  Illinois  at  a  period  when  over 
work  and  climate  had  temporarily  prostrated  Drs. 


2l6          HISTORY    OF   THE   SECOND    REGIMENT 

Marquis  and  Porter,  he  had  charge  at  the  trying 
time  of  moving  from  Jacksonville  to  Savannah, 
when  his  care  and  attention  to  the  sick,  and  good 
management  of  the  details  of  their  transportation 
gave  universal  satisfaction. 

Strongly  recommended  by  Colonel  Moulton,  on 
January  24,  1899,  Dr.  Bath  was  commissioned  by 
Governor  Tanner  to  the  assistant  surgeoncy,  then 
vacant,  the  duties  of  which  he  is  admirably  quali 
fied  to  perform. 

CHAPLAIN  HORACE  W.  BOLTON. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Bolton  was  born  at  Orrington, 
Maine,  in  1839.  He  served  in  the  Union  Army 
from  1862  to  1865,  and,  after  being  mustered  out, 
studied  for  the  ministry.  Before  coming  to  Chi 
cago  in  1885,  he  had  held  several  important  posi 
tions  in  the  East,  among  them  that  of  the  Oak 
Street  Church  at  Lewiston,  Me.,  Trinity  Church, 
Charlestown,  and  First  M.  E.  Church,  Bangor,  Me., 
and  Boston,  Mass.  In  Chicago  he  was  for  five  years 
pastor  of  the  First  M.  E.  Church,  for  five  years  of 
Centenary  Church,  and  from  October,  1895,  to  Jan 
uary,  1897,  pastor  of  the  South  Park  Avenue 
Church. 

Upon  the  resignation  of  Rev.  Frank  De  Witt 
Talmage,  he  was  offered  and  accepted  the  position 
of  Chaplain  of  the  Second  Illinois  Volunteer  In 
fantry,  which  he  held  until  the  final  muster  out  of 
the  regiment.  Dr.  Bolton  was  well  known  to  the 
regiment,  having  previously  occupied  the  same 
office  in  the  Second  Regiment,  I.  N.  G. 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER   INFANTRY 


217 


H.  W.  BOLTON. 

He  is  well  known  in  army  and  Masonic  circles, 
and  is  past  commander  of  U.  S.  Grant  Post  No.  28, 
Department  of  Illinois,  G.  A.  R.  He  belongs  in 
all  to  sixty  different  societies,  civil  and  military. 
He  is  the  author  of  several  books,  among  them 
"Home  and  Social  Life,"  "Fallen  Heroes,"  "Rem 
iniscences  of  the  War,"  and  "America's  Next 
War,"  and  is  the  compiler  of  the  present  volume. 

He  was  married  in  1858  to  Miss  Mary  J.  Pierce, 
of  Orrington,  Me.,  and  the  following  children  have 
been  born  to  them:  Nancy  I.,  in  1860;  Adelaide 
M.,  in  1863;  Horace  L.,  in  1868;  and  Abner  Town- 


2l8          HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

send  and  Charles  Freeman,  twins,  born  in  1873. 
The  two  first  named  only  are  now  surviving.  Mrs. 
Bolton  was  with  her  husband  during  the  campaign 
at  Savannah  and  in  Cuba. 

MILITARY    RECORD. 

Dr.  Bolton  enlisted  in  Company  E,  Sixteenth 
Maine  Volunteer  Infantry,  1862;  was  in  the  battle 
of  Antietam,  where  he  was  badly  injured,  and  dis 
charged.  In  1863  he  reenlisted  in  October,  and 
was  transferred  (the  Maine  quota  being  full)  to 
Company  D,  First  District  of  Columbia  Cavalry, 
and  made  First  Sergeant;  was  in  all  the  campaign 
of  '64;  was  again  hurt  in  the  taking  of  the  fort  at 
Petersburg,  by  having  a  horse  thrown  upon  him, 
but  stayed  with  the  company  until  there  were  but 
five  men  and  no  officers  left  for  duty,  and  only 
seventy-six  out  of  the  1,200  in  the  regiment.  In 
the  winter  of  1865  was  consolidated  \vith  the  First 
Maine  Cavalry,  and  assigned  as  First  Sergeant  of 
Company  F;  was  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant, 
but  was  not  mustered  because  of  the  consolidation; 
discharged  July  12,  1865;  reenlisted  in  the  Na 
tional  Guards  in  1894,  as  Chaplain  of  the  Second 
Illinois  Regiment;  resigned  October,  1897;  re- 
enlisted  and  was  mustered  into  United  States  serv 
ice  as  Chaplain  of  the  Second  Illinois  Volunteer 
Infantry,  June  14,  1898;  elected  Chaplain  of  the 
Seventh  Army  Corps  Association,  March  19,  1898; 
mustered  out  of  United  States  service  with  the 
regiment. 


MAJ.  JAMES  EDWARDS  STUART. 


219 


CHAPTER    XVI 

FIELD    OFFICERS 
MAJOR  JAMES  EDWARDS  STUART 

Forfar,  Scotland,  near  Thrums,  in  the  same  par 
ish  made  famous  by  J.  M.  Barrie,  the  celebrated 
novelist,  in  his  popular  work,  'The  Little  Minis 
ter,"  is  the  town  that  gave  to  the  Second  Illinois  its 
popular  and  efficient  Major  of  the  First  Battalion. 
This  notable  event  occurred  July  8,  1842,  and  at 
this  early  date,  doting  parents  and  admiring  rela 
tives  of  the  then  youthful  Major  unanimously  de 
clared  that  the  "bonnie  lad"  was  born  to  command. 
That  their  prediction  was  a  true  one,  subsequent 
events  have  proven  beyond  a  doubt. 

"Bonnie  Jimmie"  grew  to  a  lusty  boyhood  on 
his  native  heath,  and  dutifully  attended  the  village 
school  until  1851,  when,  with  his  parents,  he  came 
to  the  United  States,  where  the  family  settled  down 
in  Oshkosh,  Wis.  "Jimmie"  attended  the  public 
schools,  later  graduating  from  the  high  school  at 
that  place  with  an  education  that  permitted  him  to 
go  out  and  engage  in  the  battle  of  life  with  a  strong 
show  of  success. 

His  martial  spirit  manifested  itself  when  the  first 
call  for  volunteers  came  in  1861,  when  he  enlisted 
in  a  home  regiment  for  three  months.  August  4, 
1862,  he  reenlisted  in  Company  B,  Twenty-first 

220 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER   INFANTRY  221 

Wisconsin  Volunteers,  and  was  shortly  afterward 
promoted  Sergeant.  February  4,  1863,  he  was 
commissioned  Second  Lieutenant,  and  December 
23d  of  the  same  year  was  promoted  First  Lieuten 
ant.  August  3  ist  of  the  following  year,  he  was 
promoted  to*  the  Captaincy  of  the  company  and 
remained  as  such  up  to  the  close  of  the  war,  June 
8,  1865,  when  he  was  mustered  out  of  the  service 
with  his  regiment.  During  his  term  of  service  he 
participated  in  the  battle  of  Perryville,  Ky.,  Octo 
ber  8,  1862,  and  was  promoted  Second  Lieutenant 
for  meritorious  conduct.  At  the  battle  of  Stone 
River,  in  December,  1862,  and  January,  1863,  he 
was  mentioned  in  general  orders  by  Major-General 
Rosecrans.  Later  he  participated  in  the  march  of 
the  Fourteenth  Corps  from  Murfreesboro,  Tenn., 
to  Chattanooga,  the  battles  of  Hoovers  Gap, 
Dug  Gap,  and  the  famous  fight  at  Chickamauga, 
September  19  and  20,  1863.  He  was  also  engaged 
in  the  battles  of  Missionary  Ridge  and  Lookout 
Mountain,  and  was  with  his  command  on  the 
march  from  Chattanooga  to  Atlanta,  engaging  in 
the  battles  of  Rocky  Faced  Ridge,  Resaca,  Pump 
kin  Vine  Creek,  Kenesaw  Mountain,  Peach  Tree 
Creek,  and  the  subsequent  siege  of  Atlanta,  includ 
ing  the  battle  of  Jonesborough. 

After  the  fall  of  Atlanta  he  was  detailed  on  the 
Staff  of  General  Harrison  C.  Hobert,  commanding 
the  First  Brigade,  First  Division,  Fourteenth 
Army  Corps,  and  accompanied  the  command  on 
the  famous  march  from  "Atlanta  to  the  sea/' 


222          HISTORY    OF   THE   SECOND    REGIMENT 

He  later  took  part  in  the  battle  of  Bentonville, 
N.  C.,  and  commanded  the  advance  guard  of  Sher 
man's  army  in  entering  the  city  of  Raleigh,  N.  C., 
and  personally  received  the  surrender  of  that  city. 
After  the  surrender  of  Johnson's  army  to  Sherman, 
he  marched  with  his  command  from  Raleigh  to 
Washington  via  Richmond,  and  participated  in  the 
grand  review  of  Sherman's  army  at  the  capital, 
after  which  he  returned  to  his  camp  and  was  mus 
tered  out. 

When  the  war  ended  Capt.  Stuart  returned  to  his 
home,  and  in  1866  was  appointed  a  railway  postal 
clerk,  and  continued  as  such  until  1872,  when  he 
was  appointed  a  post-office  inspector.  During  his 
travels  as  a  railway  postal  clerk  he  met  Miss  Marie 
Roberts,  a  daughter  of  Peter  Roberts,  one  of  the 
first  settlers  of  Iowa  City,  Iowa,  and,  after  a  brief 
siege,  which  admitted  of  "no  quarter,"  the  young 
lady  surrendered,  and  Captain  James  proudly  bore 
her  away  to  his  Wisconsin  home. 

His  duties  as  a  postal  clerk  and  his  native 
shrewdness  stood  him  in  good  stead  in  his  position 
of  post-office  inspector,  and  soon  the  name  of 
"Cap"  Stuart  stood  high  in  department  circles,  and 
was  a  constant  warning  of  the  retribution  sure  to 
follow  the  luckless  individual  who  dared  to  violate 
the  postal  laws  of  Uncle  Sam. 

Shortly  after  President  Hayes'  election  in  1876, 
Captain  Stuart  was  honored  by  being  appointed 
chief  post-office  inspector  for  the  Western  District, 
comprising  the  States  of  Indiana,  Michigan,  Wis- 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER   INFANTRY  223 

consin,  Illinois,  Iowa,  and  Minnesota,  and  an  evi 
dence  of  the  manner  in  which  he  has  conducted  the 
affairs  of  this  most  important  office,  is  the  fact  that 
at  the  present  writing  he  is  still  in  the  same  posi 
tion,  having  served  successively  during  the  admin 
istrations  of  Presidents  Hayes,  Garfield,  Arthur, 
Cleveland  (two  terms),  Harrison,  and  McKinley. 

Notwithstanding  the  fact  that  his  position  en 
tailed  an  endless  amount  of  detail  work  and  travel, 
his  military  ardor  would  not  down,  and  May,  1885, 
he  was  chosen  Captain  of  Company  C,  Second  In 
fantry,  I.  N.  G.  In  1888  and  again  in  1891,  he  was 
reflected  Captain  of  the  company,  and  June,  1891, 
he  was  unanimously  elected  Major.  June,  1894, 
and  1897,  he  was  again  the  unanimous  choice  of 
the  regiment,  and  the  mustering  in  of  the  Second 
Infantry,  I.  N.  G.,  into  the  United  States  service, 
May  1 6,  1898,  found  the  doughty  Major  still  at  the 
head  of  his  command,  which  he  accompanied  to 
Jacksonville,  Fla.  He  was  with  his  battalion  but 
two  weeks,  when  he  was  ordered  to  Tampa,  Fla., 
where  he  was  engaged  in  important  secret  service 
work  for  the  Government,  reporting  personally  to 
General  Miles.  He  was  engaged  in  this  work  from 
June  1 3th  to  July  3ist,  or  until  the  fall  and  sur 
render  of  Santiago  made  it  unnecessary  to  continue 
the  service  at  this  point.  He  returned  to  his  regi 
ment  at  Jacksonville,  and  was  there  scarcely  two 
weeks  when  he  was  summoned  to  Washington  and 
sent  to  Porto  Rico  to  establish  the  postal  system 
of  the  island,  and  this  work  kept  him  engaged  until 


224          HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

November,  during-  which  time  he  personally  vis 
ited  every  town  on  the  island,  establishing  post- 
offices  in  each  town.  When  this  work  was  com 
pleted  he  returned  toi  Chicago,  where,  in  conse 
quence  of  his  long  absence,  the  affairs  of  his  office 
made  his  presence  necessary,  and  it  was  not  until 
April  3,  1899,  that  he  was  enabled  to  rejoin  his 
regiment  at  Augusta,  Ga,,  where  it  proceeded  after 
its  tour  of  duty  in  Havana,  to  await  muster  out. 

"Major  Jim,"  as  he  is  affectionately  called  by  the 
entire  regiment,  is  an  ideal  type  of  the  American 
soldier,  and  his  democratic  simplicities  as  regards 
attire,  his  gruff  and  hearty  manner  of  greeting  one, 
his  intense  enthusiasm  in  drills  and  exercises,  his 
utter  disregard  for  pomp,  ceremony  or  form,  and 
his  general  geniality  and  good-fellowship,  have 
endeared  him  to  every  member  of  the  regiment,  and 
it  is  no  exaggeration  to  state  that  every  individual 
soldier  of  the  regiment  is  a  warm  admirer  of  the 
gallant  Major,  and  he  in  turn  is  a  staunch  friend 
and  protector  to  every  enlisted  man  in  the  regi 
ment,  and  should  another  call  "to  arms"  come  in 
the  future,  Major  Stuart  will  be  found  in  the  front 
rank  of  the  first  volunteers  to  offer  their  services 
to  their  country. 

MAJOR  WILLIAM  P.  DUSENBERRY. 

Major  Dusenberry  is  a  native  of  Rochelle,  Illi 
nois,  and  was  educated  at  St.  Joseph,  Michigan. 
He  married,  on  the  I4th  of  October,  1896,  Miss 
Agnes  McKeary.  He  has  been  engaged  in  the 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  2'2$ 

leaf  tobacco  business,  and  has  been  connected  with 
the  National  Guard  of  Illinois  for  the  past  twenty 
years,  during  which  period  he  has  participated  in 
every  description  of  service  the  regiment  has  been 
called  upon  to  perform. 

Upon  the  calling  into  the  United  States  service 
of  the  Second  I.  N.  G.,  the  Major  was  mustered 
in  as  commanding  the  Second  Battalion,  and  con 
tinued  in  that  command,  with  the  exception  of  a 
short  period  of  absence  on  leave,  until  the  muster 
out  of  the  regiment. 

Close  attention  to  business  has  always  marked 
Major  Dusenberry's  career.  The  call  of  duty  never 
failed  to  elicit  a  prompt  response,  and  his  attention 
to  the  wants,  and  consideration  for  the  feelings  of 
the  soldiers  under  his  command,  have  combined 
to  render  him  one  of  the  most  respected  and 
esteemed  officers  in  the  Seventh  Army  Corps,  while 
the  fact  of  his  having  served  in  every  rank,  from 
private  upward,  has  given  him  a  most  intimate  and 
familiar  acquaintance  with  the  needs  and  duties  of 
every  man  under  his  command. 

The  engineering  aptitude  of  Major  Dusenberry 
caused  his  invariable  selection  for  the  duty  of  lay 
ing  out  the  camping  grounds  at  the  various  places 
at  which  the  regiment  was  stationed,  and  in  every 
case  the  task  was  so  efficiently  performed  that  the 
neat  lines  of  the  Second  Illinois  became  a  by-word 
in  the  Seventh  Army  Corps. 

A  high  distinction  was  conferred  upon  the  Major 
by  his  assignment,  with  the  battalion  under  his 


226          HISTORY    OF    THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 


MAJOR  |W.  P.  DUSENBERRY. 

command,  to  raise  the  United  States  flag  over  the 
town  of  Cienfuegos  at  the  Spanish  evacuation,  an 
event  fully  described  in  the  tenth  chapter. 

Major  Dusenberry  is  still  a  young-  man,  having 
been  born  on  June  22,  1857,  and  has  a  long  period 
of  public  usefulness  yet  before  him.  Mrs.  Dusen 
berry  was  present  with  the  regiment  in  Savannah 
and  Cuba.  Besides  this  the  Major  was  detailed  at 
different  times  for  different  services;  served  as  Sec 
ond  Lieutenant  commanding  Company  E  in  Union 
Stock  Yards  riot,  and  had  command  of  the  Second 
Battalion  during  the  riot  from  July  5  to  August  4, 
1896. 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  227 

MILITARY   RECORD. 

Second  Illinois  N.  G.,  private,  July  3,  1879;  Cor 
poral,  December  i,  1881;  Sergeant,  June  4,  1883; 
First  Sergeant,  October  27,  1884;  Second  Lieuten 
ant,  February  22,  1886;  First  Lieutenant,  April  2, 
1888;  Captain,  February  10,  1890;  reflected  Feb 
ruary  9,  1.893  J  Major,  August  26,  1893  ;  Second  Illi 
nois  Volunteer  Infantry  since  May  16,  I 


MAJOR  HOLMAN  GREENE  PURINTON. 

Major  Purinton  was  born  at  Bowdoin,  Maine, 
on  the  22d  of  April,  1847.  He  was  educated  at 
Litchfield  Academy,  and  the  Edward  Little  Insti- 


MAJOR  H.  G.  PURINTON. 


228          HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

tute,  Auburn,  Maine,  and  at  Bates  College,  Lewis- 
ton,  Maine,  leaving  the  latter  institution  in  1865 
to  proceed  direct  to  the  front,  when  he  served  with 
credit  through  the  rest  of  the  War  of  the  Rebellion 
as  a  volunteer  in  the  ranks  of  Company  B,  Twenty- 
ninth  Maine.  He  is  now  a  widower,  having  been 
married  many  years  ago  to  Miss  Menetta  A.  Given, 
of  Lewiston,  Maine,  whose  death  in  the  early  days 
of  the  Spanish  War  cast  a  deep  gloom  over  her 
husband  and  their  only  son,  Bertram  S.  Purinton, 
a  Lieutenant  in  the  Second  Illinois. 

Major  Purinton  conducted  a  thriving  business 
as  a  merchant  tailor  in  Chicago,  making  a  serious 
sacrifice  upon  the  altar  of  duty  when  he  accom 
panied  his  regiment  on  active  service.  History 
repeats  itself,  and  the  boy  of  eighteen  who  in  1865, 
at  his  country's  call,  denied  himself  the  unspeaka 
ble  advantages  of  further  study,  again  left  his  home 
and  business  without  a  murmur  to  give  his  services, 
and  his  life,  if  need  be,  to  the  same  noble  cause. 

Major  Purinton  is  a  well-known  and  dis 
tinguished  member  of  the  "Saint  Bernard  Drill 
Association,"  and  enjoyed  the  reputation  in  the 
Seventh  Army  Corps  of  being  one  of  the  most  ac 
complished  tacticians  in  the  corps.  His  military 
associations,  so<  early  commenced,  were  resumed 
when  he  first  accepted  a  commission  in  the  Sixth 
Battalion  Illinois  N.  G.,  speedily  followed  by  a  Cap 
taincy  in  the  same  battalion.  He  was  then  trans 
ferred  from  the  First  Illinois  National  Guard,  and 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  229 

became  Captain  and  Adjutant  of  the  Second  Illinois 
National  Guard,  and  soon  succeeded  to  a  Majority. 

During  the  war  Major  Purinton  commanded  the 
Third  Battalion  of  the  regiment.  In  June  he  was 
detailed  on  special  duty  to  proceed  from  Jackson 
ville  to  Chicago  to  obtain  recruits  to>  raise  the  regi 
ment  to  its  increased  establishment.  In  a  very 
short  space  of  time  he  returned  to  Jacksonville, 
having  obtained  the  needed  number  of  men,  his 
excellent  judgment  being  shown  in  the  high  quality 
of  the  recruits  obtained.  During  the  days  of  wait 
ing  at  Jacksonville,  the  Major's  knowledge  of  tac 
tics  and  capacity  for  imparting  instruction  bore 
rapid  fruit  in  the  manifest  improvement  of  his  com 
mand. 

Like  an  old  campaigner,  the  Major  always  be 
lieved  in  making  himself  as  comfortable  as  circum 
stances  would  admit  of,  and  his  tent  was  well- 
known  as  at  all  times  the  best-appointed  in  camp, 
and  its  owner's  geniality  and  soldierly  bonhomie 
caused  it  to  be  a  favorite  resort  of  his  comrade 
officers,  at  whose  disposal  the  Major's  fund  of 
knowledge  and  sound  advice  was  always  freely 
placed. 

Major  Purinton's  battalion  was  an  independent 
command  for  a  brief  period,  when  the  regiment  was 
changing  stations  from  Savannah  to  Cuba,  and  the 
comfort  enjoyed  by  his  men  on  board  the  "Mobile" 
formed  an  agreeable  contrast  to  the  miseries  ex 
perienced  by  their  comrades  of  the  First  and  Sec- 


23°          HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

ond  Battalions  on  the  "Michigan."  Discipline  on 
board  was  excellent.  His  battalion  numbered  360; 
i6ist  Indiana,  1,300;  the  Fourth  Virginia,  100; 
Signal  Corps,  100.  Division  and  Brigade  Head 
quarters  were  all  on  board  the  "Mobile."  Major 
Purinton  was  selected  and  put  in  charge  of  the  po 
lice,  sanitary  and  fatigue  corps  during  the  trip. 
The  order  and  cleanliness  of  the  ship  was  a  matter 
of  favorable  comment  on  the  part  of  the  officers. 
He  was  also  chosen  with  his  battalion  to  take  part 
in  the  ceremony  of  decorating  the  graves  of  the 
victims  of  the  "Maine"  disaster,  an  account  of 
which  will  be  found  elsewhere. 

Major  Purinton  always  set  an  excellent  example 
in  personal  appearance.  Of  light,  active,  soldierly 
figure,  his  spick  and  span  turn-out  and  alert  bear 
ing,  rendered  him  a  noticeable  feature  of  every 
parade. 

A  passionate  lover  of  field  sports,  the  Major  ap 
pears  to  defy  fatigue  in  his  favorite  pursuit,  and 
many  a  younger  man  might  envy  him  the  endur 
ance  and  elasticity  of  constitution  which  in  him 
seems  perennial. 

MILITARY    RECORD. 

Company  B,  Twenty-ninth  Maine  Volunteer  In 
fantry,  fourteen  months;  First  Lieutenant  and 
Adjutant  Sixth  Battalion,  Illinois  N.  G.,  two 
months;  Captain  Company  A,  Sixth  Battalion,  Illi 
nois  N.  G.,  two  years;  Captain  Company  I,  First 
Regiment  Illinois  N.  G.,  four  and  one-half  years; 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY 


23I 


Captain  and  Adjutant  Second  Regiment  Illinois 
N.  G.,  one  year;  Major  Second  Regiment  Illinois 
N.  G.,  three  years  four  months;  Major  Second  Reg 
iment  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  since  April  26, 
1898. 


FIRST  LIEUTENANT  J.  P.  SCHEY1NG. 
LIEUTENANT  JOHN   P.  SCHEYING. 

Lieutenant  Scheying  was  born  in  Ottawa,  111., 
December  5,  1863,  and  was  educated  in  the  schools 
of  that  city.  His  early  years  were  spent  on  the 
banks  of  the  classic  Rock  River,  and  in  1889  he 
moved  to  Iowa  and  engaged  in  the  cigar  and  to- 


232          HISTORY    OF   THE   SECOND    REGIMENT 

bacco  industry.  A  few  years  later  he  removed  to 
Chicago,  where  he  engaged  in  the  same  business 
with  his  brother.  His  military  ardor  first  mani 
fested  itself  when  he  enlisted  in  Company  D  of  the 
old  Fourth  Infantry,  I.  N.  G.,  at  Ottawa,  October 
17,  1882.  April  29,  1884,  he  was  appointed  Cor 
poral,  and  promoted  Sergeant  February  5,  1886. 
May  12,  1889,  he  was  discharged  on  account  of  his 
removal  to  Iowa,  Shortly  after  his  arrival  in  Chi 
cago  he  enlisted  in  Company  A,  of  the  Second  In 
fantry,  I.  N.  G.,  and  April  20,  1898,  was  made 
Sergeant-Major  of  the  First  Battalion.  June  15, 
1898,  during  the  regiment's  stay  at  Jacksonville, 
Fla.,  his  capable  conduct  of  the  office  of  Sergeant- 
Major  was  rewarded  by  his  appointment  and  com 
mission  as  First  Lieutenant  and  Adjutant  of  the 
First  Battalion,  which  position  he  filled  during  the 
regiment's  year  of  service.  During  the  stay  of  the 
regiment  in  Havana  he  was  detailed  as  acting  in 
spector  of  police,  and  contributed,  in  no  small  mea 
sure,  to  the  success  of  the  organization  of  Havana's 
first  police  force  established  under  American  rule. 
Lieutenant  Scheying  is  married,  and  the  proud 
father  of  three  children. 

Captains  Thompson  and  Mechener  were  mus 
tered  as  Battalion  Adjutants;  but  Captain  Thomp 
son  was  soon  selected  for  a  position  on  the  regi 
mental  staff.  See  page  203.  After  the  resignation 
of  Captain  Sherwin,  Mechener  acted  as  Adjutant 
until  April  20,  1899,  at  which  time  he  was  com 
missioned  for  that  position.  See  page  209. 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  233 


SERGEANT  ROSENTHAL. 

Lieutenants  Titus,  of  Company  E,  and  Unfried, 
of  Company  L,  acted  as  Battalion  Adjutants  for  the 
Second  and  Third  Battalions. 

Sergeants  Rosenthal,  of  Company  C,  McCar 
thy,  of  Company  F,  Crowell,  of  Company  M,  and 
others  were  detailed  as  Battalion  Adjutants. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

NON-COMMISSIONED    STAFF. 

Sergeant-Major  Peter  Osmar,  who  had  been  so 
many  years  connected  with  the  Second  Illinois,  left 
us  at  Savannah,  honorably  discharged  by  order  of 


PETER  OSMAR. 

234 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  235 


QUARTERMASTER  SERGEANT   H.  R.  SAUNDERS. 

the  Secretary  of  War.  His  long  and  useful  services 
had  been  of  immense  value  to  the  regiment,  and  his 
departure  was  a  matter  of  regret  to  everyone.  The 
vacancy  caused  by  his  discharge  was  filled  by  the 
promotion  of  Sergeant  Joseph  R.  Krueser,  of  Com 
pany  F,  who  proved  a  worthy  successor.  He 
proved  himself  equal  to  all  demands,  and  made 
himself  exceedingly  popular  with  all  coming  in  con 
tact  with  him  in  the  discharge  of  the  varied  duties 
of  that  position.  He  was  expected  to  answer  all 
questions  and  settle  all  disputes  in  military  law  and 
its  application  to  new  and  unusual  conditions.  But 


236 


HISTORY    OF   THE   SECOND    REGIMENT 


best  of  all,  Sergeant  Krueser  never  got  impatient, 
or  lost  control  of  himself.  We  hope  he  may  live 
long  and  well,  and  die  happy  and  hopeful. 

Regimental  Quartermaster  J.  McFarland  was  a 
hard  worker  while  able  to  do  duty.    But  for  months 


HOSPITAL  STEWARDS. 

E.  J.  BARCAL.          WILLIAM   ADAMS.          C.  E.  DANIELS. 


he  was  on  the  sick  list,  and  in  December,  1898,  he 
was  discharged  from  the  service.  Sergeant  Howard 
R.  Saunders  was  appointed  as  his  successor,  and 
proved  himself  just  the  man  for  the  place,  always 
alert,  never  in  haste,  but  always  on  time.  Positive, 


237 


238 


HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 


BAND   MESS. 

but  kind,  decisive,  but  open  to  suggestion,  he  will 
prove  a  valuable  partner  in  almost  any  business. 

Commissary-Sergeant  Armstrong  occupied  the 
most  difficult  place  in  the  regiment,  he  having  as 
sisted  the  worthy  and  efficient  Commissary  in  fur 
nishing  rations  and  ordnance  to  the  regiment. 
Neglect  or  disturb  a  man's  stomach,  and  you  are 
sure  to  hear  from  him,  and  sometimes  not  in  the 
most  elegant  language.  Sergeant  Armstrong 
always  had  the  right  word  for  every  man.  No  regi 
ment  was  ever  better  fed,  or  had  more  pleasant  sur 
prises  than  the  Second.  Captain  Thompson  and 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  239 

Sergeant  Armstrong  were  always  anticipating  the 
wants  of  the  men,  and  securing  hot  coffee  and  sand 
wiches  for  them  \vhen  on  a  move.  The  Sergeant 
has  but  one  real  out,  he  is  still  marriageable. 

MUSICIANS. 

THE  BAND. 

Much  credit  for  the  excellent  record  made  by  the 
regiment  must  be  accorded  the  famous  band  of  the 
command.  It  was  in  constant  demand  in  every 
place  visited  by  the  regiment,  and  was  the  acknowl 
edged  peer  of  any  band  in  the  service.  During  its 
entire  year  of  service,  it  ever  stood  ready  to  gratify 
the  slightest  wish  of  its  host  of  admirers,  and  besides 
its  numerous  outside  engagements,  averaged  five 
regimental  concerts  per  w^eek.  Every  call  to  aid 
worthy  charities  was  responded  to  by  its  members. 
In  the  several  towns  wherein  the  regiment  en 
camped,  the  mention  of  a  concert  to  be  given  by 
the  Second  Illinois  Band  was  a  signal  for  the  out 
pouring  of  an  immense  crowd  of  delighted  listeners. 

General  Lee  was  one  of  its  warm  friends  and 
admirers,  and  upon  every  occasion  where  the  ser 
vices  of  a  band  were  needed  to  represent  the 
Seventh  Corps,  Colonel  Moulton  was  politely  asked 
by  the  General  to<  let  him  have  "my  band"  for  this 
occasion.  January  I,  1899,  it  was  selected  to  play 
during  the  evacuation  ceremonies  at  the  Governor- 
General's  palace  in  Havana;  and  as  General  Castel- 
lanos  and  his  staff  left  the  palace  the  band  played 
the  Spanish  Royal  March,  whereupon  the  General 


240 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY 


24I 


and  his  aids  doffed  their  caps,  and  when  they 
reached  the  open  air  outside  the  palace,  Old  Glory 
was  flung  to  the  winds  on  the  topmost  mast  of  the 
palace,  while  the  joyous  strains  of  the  "Star 
Spangled  Banner,"  as  played  by  "my  band,"  floated 


••EL- 


JACK  ON  ST.  PATRICK'S  DAY. 


through  the  marble  corridors  of  the  palace,  and  was 
listened  to  with  rapt  attention  and  uncovered  heads, 
and  gave  word  to  the  world  that  the  curtain  had 
been  rung  down  on  Spain's  rule  in  the  New  World. 
The  band  was  further  honored  by  being  selected 
to  play  at  the  Tacon  Theater,  at  the  reception  ten 
dered  to  General  Gomez  upon  his  arrival  in  Hav- 


242  HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 


BUGLER  JESSE  DANIELS. 

ana;  and  also  at  the  same  theater  later  for  the  benefit 
of  the  Cuban  Orphan  Asylum.  It  was  also  selected 
to  play  at  the  Colon  Cemetery,  Havana,  February 
15,  1899,  the  first  anniversary  exercises  of  the  de 
struction  of  the  Maine,  held  over  the  graves  of  the 
victims  buried  there. 

This  band  was  organized  in  1885,  and  its  first 
leader  was  A.  D.  Harlow.  He  was  succeeded  later 
by  A.  F.  Wei  don,  and  in  1893  Ellis  Brooks  suc 
ceeded  him.  Mr.  E.  T.  Smith  took  charge  in 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  243 

Springfield,  111.,  and  May  16,  1898,  its  members 
were  mustered  into  the  United  States  service.  It 
consisted  of  twenty-six  men,  with  E.  T.  Smith,  Chief 
Musician,  and  Charles  Fuller,  Principal  Musician. 
Too  much  praise  cannot  he  given  Messrs.  Smith 
and  Fuller  for  their  efficient  and  splendid  work; 
and  it  is  safe  to  assert  that  every  man  in  the  regi 
ment  appreciates  this  fact.  Both  of  these  men  have 
been  with  the  band  since  its  organization  in  1885. 
The  men  have  enjoyed  excellent  health  during  the 
year  of  service,  and  all  lived  to  return.  A  history 
of  the  band  would  be  incomplete  without  an 
acknowledgment  being  made  of  the  excellent 
work  accomplished  by  Sergeant  George  Ihling  with 
the  Trumpet  Corps,  and  Joseph  B.  Byrnes,  in 
structor  of  the  Drum  Corps. 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

COMPANY   A. 

CAPTAIN  PAUL  B.  LINO. 

Captain  Lino,  who  is  one  of  the  oldest  members  of 
the  Illinois  National  Guard,  is  an  officer  at  home  alike 
in  the  cavalry  or  infantry  branches  of  the  service. 
Enlisting  on  March  27,  1881,  in  the  First  Cavalry  I. 
N.  G.,  he  has  occupied  many  positions  in  the  service, 
filling  all  with  credit  to  himself  and  profit  to  the 
regiment. 

At  the  outbreak  of  the  war,  Captain  Lino,  then  serv 
ing  as  Captain  of  Troop  A,  First  Cavalry  I.  N.  G.,  was 
mustered  into  the  United  States  service  in  that  position. 
"Mustered-out"  with  his  regiment,  October  nth,  he 
was  again  commissioned  as  Captain  of  Company  A, 
Second  111.  Vol.  Inf.  The  Captain  had  previously  com 
manded  Company  L  from  1887  to  1890,  and  was  as 
well  known  as  liked  by  the  members  who  remembered 
him  at  that  time. 

Jolly  and  genial,  with  a  pleasant  word  and  a  cheery 
smile  for  everyone,  no  more  popular  officer  could  be 
found  in  the  Seventh  Army  Corps ;  but  so  well  does 
Captain  Lino  know  how  to  combine  firmness  with  kind 
ness  that  the  discipline  of  his  company  has  been  excelled 
by  none. 

MILITARY    RECORD. 

Private,  Troop  D,  First  Cavalry  I.  N.  G.,  March  27, 
1 88 1 ;  reenlisted  March  27,  1886;  Commissary  Ser- 

244 


CAPT.  PAUL  B.  LINO. 


245 


246          HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

geant,  May,  1886;  First  Lieutenant,  Troop  D,  July  i, 
1886;  transferred  with  Troop  D  as  Company  L,  Sec 
ond  Infantry  I.  N.  G.,  March  14,  1887;  Captain,  Com 
pany  L,  June  20,  1887;  Recruiting  Officer,  Troop  A, 
First  Cavalry  I.  N.  G.,  elected  Captain  and  transferred 
from  Company  L  to  Troop  A,  June  6,  1891 ;  mustered 
into  Volunteer  service  as  Captain,  Troop  A,  First  111. 
Vol.  Cav.,  May  19,  1898;  mustered  out,  October  n, 
1898;  commissioned  Captain,  Company  A,  Second  111. 
Vol.  Inf.,  November  22,  i; 


FIRST   LIEUTENANT   CHESLEY   REYNOLDS 
PERRY. 

Lieutenant  Perry  was  born  in  Chicago,  September  12, 
1871,  and  educated  at  Chicago  High  School.  Joining 
the  Second  Regiment  I.  N.  G.  in  1895,  he  was  pro 
moted  to  a  Second  Lieutenancy  in  Company  B  in  the 
following  year.  He  was  mustered  into  the  U.  S.  ser 
vice  with  that  company  at  the  outbreak  of  the  war,  and 
has  been  selected  for  various  special  duties,  having 
been  detailed  as  Acting  Commissary  of  Subsistence  and 
Ordnance  Officer,  First  Brigade,  Second  Division, 
Seventh  Army  Corps;  as  Acting  Assistant  Quarter 
master,  Acting  Commissary  of  Subsistence,  and  Ord 
nance  Officer,  Medical  Department,  Seventh  Army 
Corps ;  as  Regimental  Exchange  Officer,  and  as  Acting 
Adjutant  of  the  First  Battalion,  his  efficient  services  in 
those  various  capacities  being  fully  recognized  by  his 
military  services.  Lieutenant  Perry  is  an  athlete  of 
no  mean  order,  and  prominent  in  the  promotion  of 
athletics  among  his  men. 


247 


248          HISTORY    OF   THE   SECOND    REGIMENT 
MILITARY    RECORD. 

Private,  Company  B,  Second  Inf.  I.  N-  G.,  June  22, 
1895;  elected  Second  Lieutenant,  February  10,  1896; 
mustered  into  U.  S.  service,  May  16,  1898;  commis 
sioned  First  Lieutenant,  Company  A,  Second  111.  Vol. 
Inf.,  November  24,  1898;  detailed  as  A.  C.  S.  and  A. 
O.  O.,  First  Brigade,  Second  Division,  Seventh  Army 
Corps,  June,  1898;  detailed  as  A.  A.  Q.  M.,  A.  C.  S. 
and  A.  O.  O.  Medical  Department,  Seventh  Army 
Corps,  July-October,  1898. 

FIRST  LIEUTENANT  LEON  K.  MAGRATH. 

Lieutenant  Magrath  was  born  in  Providence,  R.  I., 
September  27,  1865,  and  married  Miss  Rose  L.  Hardy, 
by  whom  he  has  two  children.  He  is  in  civil  life  a 
stone-cutter  by  trade,  and  was  seven  years  in  the  Illi 
nois  National  Guard,  working  his  way  from  Private 
to  Sergeant.  The  muster-in  to  the  volunteer  service 
found  him  in  the  latter  rank.  The  long-continued  sick 
ness  of  the  First  Sergeant  threw  the  work  of  that  posi 
tion  upon  Sergeant  Magrath,  who  performed  it  admir 
ably;  and  when,  on  November  3Oth,  a  vacancy  in  the 
rank  of  Second  Lieutenant  offered  the  opportunity  of 
a  suitable  reward  for  faithful  and  efficient  services 
cheerfully  performed,  Sergeant  Magrath  received  his 
well-deserved  promotion,  which  was  hailed  with  delight 
by  his  gratified  comrades,  with  whom  he  was  very 
popular,  and  whose  respect  he  possessed  in  a  high 
degree. 

MILITARY   RECORD. 

Enlisted  in  Company  A,  Second  Regiment,  I.  N.  G., 
1891;  Corporal,  May,  1893;  Sergeant,  April,  1895; 
mustered  into  U.  S.  service,  Sergeant,  April  26,  1898; 
Second  Lieutenant,  November  30,  1898. 


*; 


*^b^ 

.  ••    ^7^—4^ 


249 


25°          HISTORY    OF    THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 


COMPANY    HISTORY. 

Company  A  long-  enjoyed  the  distinction  of  being- 
one  of  the  best  drilled  companies  in  the  Second  Infantry 
Illinois  National  Guard.  It  is  also  one  of  the  oldest 
companies  in  the  command,  having  been  raised  at  the 
first  formation  of  the  regiment,  and  entering  the  Illi 
nois  National  Guard  service  under  the  command  of 
Captain  Vanzwoll,  who  was  succeeded  in  command  by 
Captain  Delafontaine,  who  in  turn  was  followed  by 
Captain  Bogg,  after  whom  came  Captain  Samuels. 
The  company  was  prompt  in  answering  every  call  for 
duty  from  the  day  of  its  entrance  into  the  National 
Guard  down  to  the  day  of  its  discharge  from  the  U.  S. 
Army.  It  saw  service  at  Braidwood,  111.,  the  Stock 
Yards,  and  the  A.  R.  U.  strikes  of  1894;  and  has  always 
proved  worthy  the  confidence  of  its  battalion  and  regi 
mental  commanders,  a  source  of  pride  to  its  members 
and  to  the  organization  of  which  they  form  a  part. 
Company  A  was  mustered  into  the  service  of  the  U.  S. 
for  the  Spanish  War  with  a  full  quota  of  officers  and 
men,  its  officers  being,  Ossian  C.  Van  Zandt,  Captain ; 
John  Bauder,  First  Lieutenant,  and  Frank  U.  Adams, 
Second  Lieutenant.  Although  there  has  possibly  been 
more  promotions  in  Company  A  than  in  any  other  com 
pany  of  the  regiment,  the  company  is  proud  of  the  fact 
that  there  has  not  been  a  single  reduction.  The  com 
pany  left  Chicago  with  the  Second  Regiment  on  April 
26,  1898,  and  was  afterward  identified  with  it  in  all  its 
successes,  all  its  sufferings,  and  all  the  various  vicissi 
tudes  through  which  the  command  passed. 

Reaching  Springfield,  the  company  was  assigned 
quarters  in  the  gallery  of  the  Dome  building,  and 


251 


252          HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

settled  down  to  a  period  of  drill  and  anxious  expecta 
tion  of  orders  from  Washington. 

With  1,400  young,  strong,  healthy  and  mischievous 
men  confined  within  four  walls  of  a  building,  it  would 
be  impossible  to  conceive  of  the  time  dragging  very 
slowly,  but  day  after  day  some  prank  was  played,  which 


CAPT.  O.  S.  VAN  ZANT. 

kept  the  boys  in  a  continual  state  of  merriment  and 
laughter. 

There  were  the  usual  reviews  and  parades,  insepar 
able  from  any  military  camp,  and,  of  course,  drill  was 
never  by  any  chance  omitted,  so  that  hard  as  were  the 
sleeping  accommodations,  the  boys  were  generally 
ready  to  occupy  them  at  taps,  and,  once  there,  slept  as 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER   INFANTRY  253 


LIEUT.  JOHN   BAUDER. 

soundly  and  as  refreshingly  as  in  beds  of  down.  In 
deed,  the  boys  seemed  to  take  a  great  degree  of  pride 
in  roughing  it,  as  they  knew  it  was  fitting  them  for  the 
severe  experiences  which  afterward  came  to  them  in  the 
field.  So,  with  great  good  humor,  they  endured  the 
hard  beds,  the  harder  tack,  the  almost  continual  rain, 
and  the  sticky  mud.  At  the  physical  examination  of 
the  men,  but  a  small  proportion  failed  to  pass,  and  they 
mustered  in  eighty-four  big,  stalwart  men. 

The  company  suffered,  with  the  balance  of  the  regi 
ment,  the  discomforts  of  the  long,  hot,  dreary  months 
of  waiting  at  Jacksonville,  but  was  so  fortunate  as  to 
lose  none  of  its  members  by  death  during  the  epidemic 


254 


HISTORY    OF   THE   SECOND    REGIMENT 


at  Jacksonville;  but  for  some  time  so  prevalent 
was  the  sickness  from  typhoid  fever  that  out  of  a 
strength  of  eighty-four  men,  the  company  frequently 
fell  in  for  parade  with  but  two  sets  of  fours,  and  there 
was  no  decided  change  for  the  better  until  after  the 
removal  of  the  camp  to  the  Rifle  Range. 

On  November  9,  1898,  Captain  Van  Zandt  resigned 
his  commission,  returning  to  private  life  in  Chicago. 
Soon  after  Lieutenant  Bauder  also  resigned.  Lieuten 
ant  Adams  next  tendered  his  resignation,  thus  leaving 
the  company  without  a  commissioned  officer.  This  was 
soon  remedied  by  the  appointment  of  Paul  Lino  as 
Captain,  his  commission  taking  date  November  23d. 
Second  Lieutenant  Chesley  R.  Perry,  of  Company  B, 
was  promoted  and  transferred  to  Company  A  as  First 
Lieutenant,  and  Sergeant  Leon  K.  Magrath  was  pro- 


LIEUT.  F.  W.  ADAMS. 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER   INFANTRY  255 

moted  to  be  Second  Lieutenant,  thus  once  more  giving 
the  company  a  set  of  efficient  officers,  who  at  once  won 
the  respect  and  obedience  of  the  men  by  a  wise  adminis 
tration  O'f  company  affairs,  and  a  masterly  knowledge  of 
the  duties  pertaining  to  their  positions.  Captain  Lino 
brought  to  the  duties  of  his  office  a  large  experience 
gained  by  several  years  of  military  service,  the  effects 
of  his  administration  becoming  immediately  apparent 
in  the  improved  discipline  of  the  company  and  the 
abundance  and  quality  of  the  mess. 

Company  A  served  twenty- four  days  in  charge  of  the 
rifle  range  at  Jacksonville,  a  responsible  and  important 
duty,  which  they  performed  in  a  manner  reflecting  great 
credit  upon  them. 

The  company  proceeded  to  Cuba  on  the  "Michigan/' 
with  the  First  and  Second  Battalions  of  the  regiment, 
and  as  soon  as  order  was  established  in  Camp  Columbia, 
began  once  more  the  routine  duties  of  camp  life,  its 
further  history  being  that  common  to  the  remainder  of 
the  regiment. 

ROSTER    OF    COMPANY   A. 

Mustered  into  service  May  16,  1898,  at  Springfield,  Illinois. 

OFFICERS. 

OSSIAN  C.  VAN  ZANDT,  Captain. — Mustered  into  service  May 

16,  1898;    resigned  Nov.  9,  1898. 

PAUL  B.  LINO,  Captain. — Mustered  into  service  Nov.  22,  1898. 
JOHN  BAUDER,  First  Lieutenant. — Mustered  into  service  May 

16,  1898.     Resigned  Nov.  14,  1898. 
CHESLEY  R.   PERRY,   First  Lieutenant. — Mustered  as    Second 

Lieutenant  Company  B,  promoted  1898  and  transferred  to 

Company  A. 
FRANK  U.  ADAMS,  Second  Lieutenant. — Mustered  into  service 

May  16,  1898.     Resigned  Nov.  23,  1898. 


256          HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

LEON  K.   MAGRATH,    Second  Lieutenant. — Mustered  as   First 

Sergeant  May  16,  1898;    promoted  1898. 
WM.  CLEFF,  First  Sergeant. 
JOHN  PRZYBILSKI,  Q.  M.  Sergeant. 
GEO.  H.  WAGNER,  Sergeant. 
WM.  J.  MARTELL,  Sergeant. 

BENJAMIN  NATHAN,  Sergeant. — Discharged  Feb.  10,  1899. 
ARTHUR  L.  HART,  Sergeant. 
WILLARD  C.  PATRICK,  Corporal 

GEORGE  E.  ESHER,  Corporal. — Promoted  Sergeant  Feb.  16,  1899. 
Ross  C.  WHEAT,  Corporal. 
JAMES  STRATTON,  Corporal. 
CHAS.  J.  SYKES,  Corporal. 
WM.  V.  KENNEDY,  Corporal. 
VICTOR  A.  BENSON,  Corporal. 
ADAM  G.  ABRAHAMSON,  Corporal. 
JOSEPH  L.  SAXE,  Corporal. 
RICHARD  SALM,  Corporal. 
JOHN  M.  WALTER,  Corporal. 
CHAS  F.  SANDERS,  Corporal. 

JULIUS  C.  R.  DUNKE,  Corporal. — Discharged  Dec.  30,  1898. 
ANTON  ZANDER,  Corporal. — Promoted  Feb.  i,  1899. 
JAMES  W.  ABELL,  Musician. 
THOMAS  H.  CAHILL,  Musician. 
WM.  HOLLERBACH,  Artificer. 
CHAS.  F.  MUSSON,  Wagoner. 

PRIVATES. 

AXELSON,    GUSTAV.  BRAULT,   AUGUST. 

ARMSTRONG,  ALBERT  E.  BURKHURT,  CHAS.  E. 

Appointed  Corporal  Feb.  6,  CURRY,  DANIEL  J. 

1899.  CAMERON,  WILLIAM. 
AHLGRIN,  HERMAN.  Transferred  to  U.   S.  Hos- 

ARNOLD,  JOSEPH  D.  pital  Corps  Oct.  18,  1898. 

ALLCOTT,  WILLIAM  F.  COHEN,  ABRAHAM. 

Discharged  Oct.  14,  1898.  DAHL,  HARRY  S. 

BERNSTEIN,  Louis.  DAVIS,  FRED  N. 
BEINER,  FRED.  Discharged  March  25,  1899. 

BIRD,  GEORGE  W.  DEAN,  CHARLES  D. 

BOWERS,  JAMES  J.  DAY,  FRANK  G. 


257 


258 


HISTORY    OF   THE   SECOND    REGIMENT 


DRAB,  FRANK  A. 

ESTEP,  ARCHIE  L. 

ELLIOTT,  WIRT  S. 

ECKHOLM,  AUGUST. 
Discharged  Sept.  19,  1898. 

FARA,  ALBERT. 

FARR,  EUGENE  W. 

FROLING,  VICTOR  H. 

GILHUS,  ADOLPH. 
Transferred  to  U.   S.  Hos 
pital  Corps  June  15,  1898. 

GRANGER,  WALTER. 
Transferred  to  U.   S.   Hos 
pital  Corps  June  10,  1898. 

HAMILTON,  JAMES  J. 

HANSEN,  HAROLD. 

HORNE,  FRANK  E. 

HARRISON,  WM.  H. 

HILL,  WALTER  S. 
Discharged  Nov.  28,  1898. 

HANSEN,  CHARLES  E. 

JASON,  Louis. 

JOHNSON,  JOHN  M. 

JOHNSON  JOHN  E. 

JANKOWSKI,  FRANK. 

JONES,  FRED  M. 

Discharged  Aug.  10,  1898. 

KRIEG,  OTTO. 

KOLLENBERG,   HENRY  E. 
KOBOW,    GUSTAVE. 

Appointed  Corporal  Feb.  16, 
1899. 

KARNICK,  PETER. 

KEEFE,  MARTIN. 

LEVANDUSKI,  FRANK. 

LEDDY,  EUGENE. 

MURRAN,  ANDREW. 

MAYER,  EDGAR  D. 

MONKA,  JOHN. 

Transferred  to  U.   S.   Hos 
pital  Corps  Oct.  19,  1898. 


MAI,  GEORGE  H. 

MORKBEE,  LUTHER  C. 

McCuLLGUGH,  CHARLES. 

McQuAiD,  EUGENE. 

NELSON,  WM.  G. 
Discharged  Nov.  20,  1898. 

OLSON,  AUGUST. 

OLSON,  CARL  W. 

O'CONNOR,  FRED  H. 

O'BRIEN,  HARRY. 

O'HARA,  EDWARD. 

ORIOL,  JULIUS. 

PHILLIP,  JOHN  C. 

Transferred  to  U.   S.   Hos 
pital  Corps  June  13,  1898. 

PASHKE,  JOHN  J. 
Transferred  to  U.   S.  Hos 
pital  Corps  June  13,  1898. 

PATZEN,  HENRY. 

ROEHRIG,  ADAM  P. 

RAFFERTY,  HERBERT. 

RODNEY,  ALFRED  J. 
Discharged  Oct.  31,  1898. 

RYAN,  BENJAMIN  D. 

RENITZ,  BENJAMIN. 
Discharged  Nov.  4,  1898. 

SLOIER,  CHRISTIAN. 

STEWART,  GEO.  W. 

SlLVERMANN,   ALEX. 

SPENSLEY,  WALTER  F. 
SMITH,  FRANK. 
SAVAGE,  JAMES  D. 
STRATTON,  JOHN  H. 
TOOMEY,  JOHN  A. 
TROEGER,  ARTHUR. 
Voss,  WILLIAM  J. 
WAGNER,  GEORGE  T. 
WENDT,  OSCAR  F. 
WITT,  AUGUST  F. 
WAGNER.  EDWARD. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

COMPANY   B. 

CAPTAIN    CHARLES    PARKER    WRIGHT. 

Captain  Wright  was  born  in  Chicago  June  27,  1867, 
and  received  his  education  in  the  Chicago  public  and 
high  schools.  He  is  an  undertaker  by  profession,  is 
married,  and  has  possibly  had  as  varied  a  military  career 
as  any  officer  in  the  regiment.  He  enlisted  in  Company 
H,  Second  Infy.  I.  N.  G.  early  in  1885.  August  16, 
of  the  same  year,  he  was  appointed  Corporal,  and 
March  I,  1887,  was  promoted  Sergeant.  May  3,  1887, 
he  was  elected  Second  Lieutenant,  and  was  promoted 
to  the  First  Lieutenancy  February  21,  1888.  January 
21,  1890,  he  was  elected  Captain,  and  August  14  of  the 
same  year  was  promoted  Major.  He  resigned  his  com 
mission  March  21,  1893,  for  business  reasons,  but  his 
military  ardor  would  not  down,  and,  June  27,  1895,  he 
reenlisted  in  Company  D.  April  7,  1896,  he  was  elected 
First  Lieutenant  of  the  Company,  and,  July  u  of  the 
same  year,  was  appointed  Adjutant  of  the  First  Bat 
talion,  which  rank  he  held  at  the  time  the  regiment  was 
mustered  into  the  Volunteer  service.  May  19,  1898, 
Captain  Frank  Waska,  commanding  Company  B,  was 
forced  to  resign  on  account  of  ill-health,  and  Lieutenant 
Wright  received  his  commission  as  Captain  of  the  com 
pany  June  15,  1898. 

Captain  Wright  is  recognized  as  a  capable  and  pains 
taking  officer,  and  enjoys  an  enviable  reputation  as  a 

259 


260          HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

drill-master.  He  is  of  a  quiet  but  forceful  disposition, 
and  enjoyed  the  full  confidence  and  respect  of  his  com 
pany  and  brother  officers.  He  was  personally  compli 
mented  by  the  Provost  Marshal  of  the  Seventh  Army 
Corps  for  the  masterly  manner  in  which  he  controlled, 
with  his  company,  the  Cerro  district  of  Havana  during 
the  disorders  in  that  territory  in  December,  1898,  dur 
ing  its  evacuation  by  the  Spanish.  The  company  under 
his  charge  was  ever  a  model  of  soldierly  deportment  and 
efficiency,  and  Captain  Wright  will  return  to  civil  life 
with  the  consciousness  of  having  performed  his  full 
duty  to  his  country  and  regiment. 

LIEUTENANT    THOMAS    J.    McCONOLOGUE. 

Lieutenant  McConologue  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Ogle 
County,  Illinois,  May  9,  1862.  In  1868  he  moved, 
with  his  parents,  to  Cerro  Cordo  County,  Iowa,  where 
he  attended  the  public  schools.  In  1882  he  removed 
to  Mason  City,  Iowa,  where  he  taught  school  for  two 
years.  In  1889  he  entered  the  University  of  Notre 
Dame,  Ind.,  and  took  up  the  study  of  law,  graduating 
from  that  institution  in  1891,  with  the  degree  of  LL.B. 
In  the  fall  of  1891  he  removed  to  Chicago,  and  was 
engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profession  up  to  the 
beginning  of  the  Spanish-American  war. 

His  military  career  dates  from  1884,  when  he  enlisted 
in  Company  A,  Fourth  Infy.  Iowa  N.  G.,  in  which 
company  he  served  until  1891,  reaching  the  rank  of 
First  Duty  Sergeant.  In  June,  1892,  he  enlisted  in 
Company  B,  Second  Infy.  I.  N.  G.,  and  was  appointed 
Corporal  in  June,  1893.  April,  1894,  he  was  pro 
moted  Sergeant,  and  the  following  June  was  made  First 
Sergeant,  serving  as  such  throughout  the  great  railroad 


26 1 


262          HISTORY    OF   THE   SECOND    REGIMENT 

strikes  of  that  year.  In  April,  1895,  he  was  elected 
First  Lieutenant  of  Company  I,  Seventh  Infy.  I.  N.  G. 
September  28,  1896,  he  was  elected  First  Lieutenant  of 
Company  B,  Second  Infy.  I.  N.  G.,  which  position  he 
held  when  mustered  into  the  United  States  service. 

Lieutenant  McConologue's  legal  attainments  were 
soon  discovered  after  the  regiments  arrived  in  Jackson 
ville,  and  no  general  court-martial  convened  thereafter 
was  considered  complete  without  the  Lieutenant  as 
Judge-Advocate.  Indeed,  his  fame  as  a  legal  light 
spread,  and  when  he  was  not  acting  as  Judge- Advocate, 
he  was  good-naturedly  defending  some  luckless  soldier 
who  had  transgressed  the  articles  of  war;  and  it  is  a 
matter  of  record  that  his  clients  were  invariably 
acquitted.  The  "Judge,"  as  he  is  familiarly  termed, 
is  extremely  popular  throughout  the  regiment ;  and  it 
is  rumored  that  the  close  of  the  war  will  find  him  a 
deserter  from  the  ranks  of  bachelordom. 

LIEUTENANT   JOSEPH    D.    BENES. 

Lieutenant  Benes  was  born  in  Chicago,  July  4,  1869, 
and  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Chi 
cago.  His  military  career  covers  a  period  of  eight 
years'  continuous  service  in  Company  B,  during  which 
time  he  filled  the  successive  grades  of  Private,  Corporal, 
Sergeant,  and  First  Sergeant,  which  latter  rank  he  held 
at  the  time  the  regiment  was  mustered  into  the  United 
States  service.  When  Second  Lieutenant  Perry  was 
promoted  to  the  First  Lieutenancy  of  Company  A, 
First  Sergeant  Benes,  was  promoted  to  fill  the  vacancy, 
and  he  received  his  commission  as  Second  Lieutenant 
January  5,  1899.  During  his  incumbency  as  First  Ser 
geant  of  the  company,  he  was  recognized  throughout 


263 


24          HISTORY    OF   THE   SECOND    REGIMENT 

the  regiment  as  being-  one  of  the  most  capable  non 
commissioned  officers  in  the  regiment ;  and  his  promo 
tion  was  regarded  as  well  earned  and  well  bestowed. 

He  is  popular  among  both  officers  and  men,  and 
though  of  a  retiring  disposition,  he  has  frequently 
appeared  at  the  regimental  entertainments,  where  he 
convulsed  all  with  his  humorous  recitations  and  inimi 
table  imitations.  Shortly  after  his  installation  as  Sec 
ond  Lieutenant,  he  was  detailed  as  regimental  exchange 
officer;  and  his  conduct  of  its  affairs  was  a  subject  of 
commendation. 

"Joe",  as  he  is  familiarly  called,  is  a  single  man,  and 
in  civil  life  is  a  contracting  mason  by  occupation. 

COMPANY    HISTORY. 

Company  B  is  the  second  oldest  company  in  the  regi 
ment,  and  has  always  enjoyed  an  enviable  reputation  for 
drill  and  discipline,  and,  during  its  life  as  a  company  of 
the  Illinois  National  Guard,  probably  more  commis 
sioned  officers  were  graduated  from  its  ranks  than  any 
company  in  the  regiment.  Prominent  among  some  of 
its  ex-officers  may  be  mentioned  Captain  Frank  Lasher, 
jr.;  Captain  John  Ingraham,  who  died  while  in  com 
mand  of  the  company;  Captain  Geo.  Meehan,  after 
ward  a  Major  in  the  Seventh  Infantry  I.  N.  G. ;  Cap 
tain  Thomas  I.  Mair,  now  commanding  Company  C, 
Second  111.  Vol.  Infy. ;  Captain  Frank  Waska,  who  was 
mustered  into  the  United  States  service  as  its  Captain, 
but  compelled  to  resign,  May  19,  1898,  on  account  of 
ill-health;  Second  Lieutenant  Chesley  R.  Perry,  now 
First  Lieutenant  of  Company  A,  Second  111.  Vol.  Infy., 
and  Captain  William  D.  Hotchkiss,  now  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  of  the  Second  111.  Vol.  Infy. 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY 


265 


Upon  Captain  Waska's  resignation,  Lieutenant 
Charles  P.  Wright,  Adjutant  of  the  First  Battalion, 
was  commissioned  as  Captain  of  the  company,  and  the 
only  other  change  in  the  commissioned  officers  of  the 
company  that  occurred  in  its  year  of  service  was  the 
appointment  of  First  Sergeant  Joseph  D.  Benes  to  fill 


NOiN-COMS.  COMPANY  B. 

the  vacancy  caused  by  Second  Lieutenant  Perry's  pro 
motion  to  the  First  Lieutenancy  of  Company  A. 

The  company  shared  the  hard  work  and  disappoint 
ments  of  the  balance  of  the  regiment  during  its  summer 
camps  in  the  south,  and  lost  two  members  during  the 
epidemic  of  typhoid  fever  at  Jacksonville,  Fla.  Private 
Wm.  H.  Umstead  was  the  first  to  succumb.  He  died 


266          HISTORY    OF   THE   SECOND    REGIMENT 

at  the  Second  Division  Hospital  September  9,  1898, 
and  the  following  day  Corporal  George  Keagle  died  of 
the  same  disease  at  the  same  place.  The  bodies  of  both 
men  were  sent  to  relatives  in  Chicago,  the  company 
escorting  the  remains  to  the  depot.  Both  men  were 
model  soldiers,  and  popular  among  the  boys,  and  their 
untimely  end  produced  profound  sorrow  among  their 
comrades  in  the  company. 

The  subsequent  history  of  the  company  at  Jackson 
ville  and  Savannah  is  the  history  of  every  other  com 
pany  in  the  regiment. 

The  company  embarked  for  Cuba  on  the  cattle-ship 
"Michigan,"  along  with  the  other  companies  of  the 
First  and  Second  Battalions.  December  i9th,  a  few 
days  after  the  company's  arrival  in  Havana,  it  was 
ordered  to  report  to  Provost  Marshal  Harrison  for  duty. 
In  one  hour  after  the  receipt  of  the  order  the  company 
reported  at  Provost  Headquarters,  and  was  assigned  to 
duty  in  the  town  of  Cerro,  a  suburb  of  Havana.  The 
town  had  been  evacuated  by  the  Spanish  troops  that 
day,  and  the  Cubans  were  celebrating  the  event  in  a 
wildly  hilarious  manner.  Toward  night  matters  began 
to  look  serious,  as  there  were  frequent  clashes  between 
the  natives  and  their  old-time  oppressors,  and  along 
toward  evening  it  was  rumored  that  a  body  of  Spanish 
troops  was  bent  upon  returning  that  night  and  wreaking 
vengeance  upon  the  Cubans  who  had  subjected  them  to 
numerous  indignities  during  the  evacuation  of  the  same 
day.  The  absence  of  the  Spanish  troops  gave  the 
Cubans  courage ;  and  the  luckless  civilian  Spaniards 
who  remained  were  set  upon  and  beaten  by  mobs  of 
enthusiastic  natives,  who  thronged  the  streets  waving 
Cuban  and  American  flags,  and,  with  shrill  cries  of 
"Viva  Americano,"  "Viva  Cuba,"  threatened  dire  death 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY 


267 


CAMP  BOLTON. 


to  the  Spanish.  Numerous  small  riots  and  cases  of 
assault  and  general  disorder  prevailed  throughout  the 
evening,  and  when  Company  B  arrived,  about  7 
o'clock  p.  rn.,  matters  were  beginning  to  look  ominous. 
Already  the  houses  of  several  known  Spanish  sympa 
thizers  were  wrecked,  and  the  town  was  crowded  by 
an  enthusiastic,  "cognac"  crazed,  armed  mob,  who 
awaited  the  threatened  invasion  by  the  Spanish  troops. 
Captain  Wright  immediately  grasped  the  situation,  and 
divided  his  men  into  squads,  and  they  patrolled  the 
entire  district,  about  two  miles  in  extent,  and  by  their 
tact,  coolness  and  judgment,  put  down  numerous  incipi 
ent  riots,  and  at  i  o'clock  a.  m.  Captain  Wright  ordered 


268          HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

Lieutenant  McConologue  and  a  detail  of  men  to  close 
every  saloon  in  the  town,  which  was  done.  There  was 
no  sleep  for  Company  B  that  night,  and  their  wagon 
train  was  left  standing  in  the  streets  all  night  under 
guard.  The  next  morning  the  company  established 
their  camp  near  the  reservoir,  and  named  it  Camp  Bol- 
ton,  in  honor  of  the  regimental  Chaplain.  A  guard  was 
posted  the  next  night  at  the  Chavey  bridge  to  cover  the 
approach  to  town,  and  was  fired  upon  during  the  night 
by  unknown  parties.  The  guard  returned  the  fire,  and 
a  lively  fusilade  ensued,  but  no  damage  was  done,  and 
the  miscreants  escaped  arrest  by  disappearing  in  the 
darkness.  After  a  few  occurrences  of  a  like  nature, 
the  lawless  element  discovered  that  the  Chicago  boys 
were  not  to  be  trifled  with,  and  accorded  them  the 
respect  due  them,  and  Captain  Wright  was  compli 
mented  by  the  Provost-Marshal  for  the  admirable  be 
havior  of  the  company  and  their  successful  efforts  in 
establishing  law  and  order  in  the  town.  During  these 
scrimmages  a  score  of  Cubans  and  Spaniards  were  shot 
or  killed,  and  a  teamster  of  the  Second  Illinois  received 
a  Mauser  bullet  in  his  shoulder  while  driving  through 
the  district. 

December  31,  1898,  the  Provost  Marshal  asked  for 
a  detail  of  one  Corporal  and  ten  men  to  report  to  him  the 
following  morning,  to  act  as  a  guard  of  honor  during 
the  raising  of  the  American  flags  over  Morro  Castle 
and  Cabannas  fortress.  Corporal  Schreffler  and  ten 
picked  men  were  selected  by  Captain  Wright.  The 
Corporal  has  the  proud  distinction  of  being  selected  to 
haul  down  the  Spanish  flag  over  Cabannas  fortress  and 
raise  ''Old  Glory."  He  was  also  the  person  to  whom 
the  keys  of  the  prison  were  turned  over  when  the 
final  transfer  was  made,  and  then  with  a  detail  of  sol- 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  269 

diers  he  escorted  the  last  detachment  of  Spanish  troops 
from  the  fort  to  the  wharf,  where  lighters  awaited  them, 
to  take  them  out  to  the  transports  that  were  to  take  them 
back  to  Spain.  The  detail  was  in  charge  of  Cabannas 
for  three  days,  until  relieved  by  regular  soldiers,  and 
returned  to  the  company  loaded  down  with  souvenirs 
and  was  the  envy  of  the  unfortunates  who  were  not  on 
the  detail. 

The  company  remained  on  duty  at  Cerro  until  Janu 
ary  7,  1899,  when  they  were  relieved  by  Troop  F, 
Second  U.  S.  Artillery.  The  company  thus  lias  the 
distinction  of  being  the  first  company  of  United  States 
troops  to  perform  permanent  provost  duty  in  Havana. 

The  company  also  enjoyed  the  reputation  of  being 
one  of  the  best  drilled  companies  in  the  regiment,  and 
a  number  of  men  were  drawn  from  its  ranks  to  perform 
various  duties  of  a  special  nature.  Private  Win. 
Morris  was  chosen  as  permanent  Orderly  for  the  com 
manding  officer,  and  fulfilled  the  delicate  duties  of  the 
position  up  to  the  time  he  was  taken  ill  with  typhoid 
fever  at  Havana,  in  March,  1899.  At  the  time  of  the 
regiment's  departure  for  the  "States"  his  condition  was 
so  serious  that  it  was  decided  to  leave  him  at  the  First 
Division  Hospital  until  he  was  strong  enough  to  under 
take  the  journey  home.  Private  Charles  J.  Smith,  of 
the  company,  was  detailed  at  Jacksonville,  Fla.,  as 
Assistant  Postmaster  of  the  regiment,  and,  January  10, 
1899,  Chaplain  Bolton  placed  him  in  full  charge  of  the 
regimental  mail  service.  Private  Edward  Poulsen  was 
detailed  as  Summary-court  Clerk,  and  Privates  Max 
Epstein  and  William  Bogle  were  detailed  as  clerks  at 
Second  Division  Headquarters.  Sergeant  Henry  Kern 
was,  up  to  the  time  of  his  discharge  for  physical  dis 
ability,  in  January,  1899,  Acting  Color-Sergeant  of 


270          HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

the  regiment,  and  Sergeant  Theodore  David  was 
detailed  for  a  time  as  Sergeant-Major  of  the  Third 
Battalion. 

Others  who  contributed  to  the  success  of  the  com 
pany  are  First  Sergeant  Joseph  E.  Leekley,  who  suc 
ceeded  Lieutenant  Benes  as  "top  Sergeant" ;  Quarter 
master  Sergeant  Wm.  O'Brien;  Sergeant  Geo.  Gard 
ner  ;  Corporal  Henry  Dahlman,  Company  Clerk ; 
Artificer  Edward  Hiltman ;  Corporal  Wm.  Cooney,  and 
that  very  indispensable  gentleman,  the  company  cook, 
ably  and  efficiently  represented  in  the  person  of  Cor 
poral  Irving  T.  Smith.  To  give  full  credit  for  duty 
well  and  faithfully  done  would  necessitate  the  mention 
of  every  individual  member  of  the  company.  Suffice 
it  to  say,  Captain  Wright  was  fortunate  in  commanding 
a  company  that  for  loyalty,  obedience,  and  the  proper 
esprit  du  corps,  had  no  superior  in  the  regiment. 

Of  the  maximum  106  men  on  the  company  roster 
July  i,  1898,  the  company  lost  two  by  death,  eight  by 
discharges  for  various  causes,  and  three  by  transfers 
to  other  companies.  At  the  time  of  the  muster-out  of 
the  regiment,  the  company  was,  numerically,  the  largest 
in  the  regiment. 

ROSTER    OF    COMPANY    B. 

Mustered  into  service  May,  16,  1898,  at  Springfield,  Illinois. 

OFFICERS. 
FRANK  E.  WASKA,  Captain. — Mustered  into  service  May  16, 

1898;  resigned  May  19,  1898. 
CHARLES  PARKER  WRIGHT,  Captain. — Mustered  into  service  as 

First  Lieutenant  and  Adjutant  of  Battalion  May  16,  1898; 

promoted  and  appointed  Captain  of  Company  B  June  I, 

1898. 
THOMAS  J.  McCoNOLOGUE,  First  Lieutenant. — Mustered  May  16, 

1898. 


^  *u* 


271 


272  HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

JOSEPH  D.  BENES,  Second  Lieutenant. — Mustered  into  service 
as  First  Sergeant  May  16,  1898;  promoted  and  mustered 
Second  Lieutenant  Jan.  5,  1899. 

JOSEPH  E.  LEEKLY,  First  Sergeant. — Mustered  Sergeant  May 
16,  1898;  promoted  Jan.  5,  1899. 

EDWARD  J.  O'BRIEN,  formerly  of  Company  D;  promoted  March 
i,  1899. 

GEORGE  H.  GARDNER,  Sergeant. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. 

HENRY  KERN,  Sergeant.— Mustered  May  16,  1898;  discharged 
Feb.  9,  1899. 

THEODORE  DAVID,  Sergeant. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. 

WILLIAM  WALKER,  Sergeant. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. 

JOSEPH  COONEY,  Sergeant. — Mustered  Corporal  May  16,  1898 ; 
promoted  Jan.  5,  1899. 

JOHN  E.  SCHMITT,  Corporal.— Mustered  May  16.  1898. 

MATHEW  V.  BLAHA,  Corporal. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. 

FRANK  HORA,  Corporal. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. 

JOHN  SCHREFFLER,  Corporal. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. 

EDWARD  HOENCK,  Corporal.— Mustered  May  16,  1898.— Pro 
moted  Aug.  4,  1898. 

WILLIAM  H.  HAHN,  Corporal.— Mustered  May  16,  1898.— Dis 
charged  Oc^.  31,  1898. 

EDWARD  H.  WAIT,  Corporal— Mustered  May  16,  1898.— Pro 
moted  Aug.  4,  1898. 

WILLIAM  SCHMELZER,  Corporal.— Mustered  May  16,  1898.— 
Promoted  Aug.  4,  1898. 

G.  H.  KEAGLE,  Corporal. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. — Died  at 
Jacksonville,  Fla.,  Sept.  10,  1898. 

HENRY  W.  DAHLMAN,  Corporal.— Mustered  May  16,  1898.— 
Promoted  Aug.  4,  1898. 

JOSEPH  KOHOUT,  Corporal. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. — Pro 
moted  Jan.  i,  1899. 

EDWARD  PATERA,  Corporal.— Mustered  May  16,  1898.— Pro 
moted  Jan.  i,  1899. 

EDWARD  PEGGENSSEE,  Corporal. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. — Pro 
moted  Jan  5,  1899. 

ALEXANDER  BELL,  Corporal. — Promoted  March  i,  1899. 

EDWARD  HILTMAN,  Artificer. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. 

WILLIAM  SWANSON,  Musician. 

WILLIAM  BOGLE,  Promoted  to  work  of  Wagoner  Sept.  i,  1898  — 
Mustered  May  16,  1898.— Transferred  to  Co.  H  March  8, 
1899- 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY 


273 


BELL,  ALEXANDER. 
BELANGER,  JOHN  J. 
BASS,  MEYER. 
BIGGER,  THOMAS. 
BALL,  JOHN  H. 
BOCK,  FRANK. 
BRAN  STEAD,  EDW. 
BECKMAN,  Jos. 
CROSS,  JOHN. 
CARLSON  WM.  S. 

DOCKSTEADER,  H.    A. 

DUEE,  HAKON,  B. 

Discharged  Nov.  29, 
ELLEFSON,  OLLIE  L. 
ELLEFSON,  THOMAS. 
ELMS,  ALFRED  J. 
ELZER,  CHARLES. 
EPSTEIN,  MAX  J. 
EDWARDS,  CURTIS  O. 

Discharged  Nov.  29, 
ENGLETHALER,  WM.  R. 
FOBES,  PETER. 
FREEMAN,  ADOLPH. 
FINGER,  MAX  A. 
GIBBS,  HARRY. 
GIERZ,  ARTHUR  C. 
GILDAY,  THOMAS. 

Discharged  June  25, 
GLERIE,  FRANK. 

Discharged  Sept.  3, 
HARRIGAN,  J.  F. 
Transferred  to  U.  S 
Corps  Dec.  5,  1898, 
HANSWIRTH,  JOSEPH. 
Discharged  Jan.  16, 
HAHN,  RICHARD. 
HICKS,  GEORGE  E. 


PRIVATES. 

HOLUB,  JOSEPH. 
HANSEN,  CHARLES  E. 
JAKUBKA,  JOHN  F. 
JONES,  ROBERT  W. 

Discharged  Jan.  26,  1899. 
KIRBY,  JOHNSON. 
KNAPSTEIN,  CHARLES. 
KINSLEY,  WILLIAM. 
LINKEN,  HENRY  N. 
LHOTKA,  EDWARD. 
LAKE,  THOMAS  G. 

Discharged  Oct.  31,  1898. 
1898.      LARSON,  HARRY  F. 
MEYERS,  SAMUEL. 
MEYERS,  WILLIAM  J. 

Discharged  Nov.  29,  1898. 
MORGAN,  PETER  H. 
ODELL,  WILLIAM. 
O 'BRIAN,  WTILLIAM  J. 
1898.      OLSON,  OSCAR  A. 
POLAKOFF,  VICTOR. 
PAULY,  CHARLES. 
PETERSEN,  NEILS  P. 
POULSEN,  EDWARD  J. 
PALDA,CHARLES  L. 
PEGLOW,  BARNEY. 
REYNOLDS,  EDWARD. 
1898.       ROTH,  JOSEPH. 
RAPP,  EDWARD. 

1898.  SAVAGEAU,  EUGENE. 
SCHULZ,  CONRAD. 

.  Signal  SHUTTS,  JOHN. 

SMITH,  GEORGE  A. 
SMITH,  IRVING  T. 

1899.  SMITH,  CHARLES  J. 
SPLAIN,  SYDNEY  A. 
SHERMAN,  HARRY. 


274          HISTORY    OF   THE  SECOND    REGIMENT 

SCHANCK,  FRED.  UMSTAT,  WILLIAM  H. 
STUERHOFF,  CHARLES  J.  Died  Jacksonvill ;,  Fla.,  1898. 

SUCHY,  JOHN.  VINER,  FRANK. 

Discharged  Jan.  16,  1899.  ULEKLINSKI,  JOHN  A. 
SIXTA,  CHARLES.  Transferred  from  Company 

SAXTON,  ALBERT.  C.  March  8,  1899. 

SCHMITT,  AUGUST  B.  WALDRON,  FRANK. 

TORGENSON,  THEODORE.  YANDA,  JOHN. 

TEFECK,  MILES.  ZAFICEK,  JAMES. 


CHAPTER  XX. 

COMPANY    C. 

CAPTAIN    THOMAS    I.    MAIR. 

Captain  Mair  is  a  native  of  the  land  of  the  thistle  and 
"Bobby  Burns,"  and  was  born  April  27,  1860,  in  Ayr 
shire,  Scotland.  He  received  his  early  education  in 
Scotland,  and  came  to  America  while  yet  a  young  man, 
and  settled  down  in  Chicago,  where  he  finished  his  edu- 


CAPT.  THOS.   I.  MAIR. 

275 


276          HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

cation,  and  embarked  in  the  legal  profession.  Captain 
Mair  is  an  old  stand-by  of  the  Second  Regiment,  enlist 
ing  as  a  private,  in  Company  B  in  1887.  Since  then  he 
has  served  successively  as  Corporal,  Sergeant,  First 
Sergeant,  Second  Lieutenant,  and  First  Lieutenant  of 
that  company.  Upon  the  disbandment  of  Company  C, 
in  1894,  he  re-organized  the  company,  and,  March  5, 
1894,  the  new  company  was  mustered  into  the  service 
of  the  State  with  Captain  Mair  as  its  commander. 
March  5,  1897,  he  was  reflected  Captain  of  the  com 
pany,  and  was  mustered  into  the  service  of  the  United 
States  as  such,  May  16,  1898. 

Captain  Mair  and  his  company  were  honored  shortly 
after  the  arrival  of  the  regiment  in  Jacksonville  by  the 
company  being  detailed  as  Brigade  Guard,  under 
Brigadier-General  A.  S.  Burt.  During  the  regiment's 
stay  in  Cuba  his  company  was  also  selected  to  perform 
provost  guard  duty  in  the  town  of  Marianao,  where  a 
portion  of  Gomez's  army  was  stationed.  Captain  Mair, 
as  commanding  officer  of  the  company,  performed  his 
duties  at  this  place  with  great  tact  and  discretion,  and 
won  the  commendation  of  the  corps  Provost  Marshal. 

The  Captain  is  an  amiable  gentleman  and  a  con 
scientious  officer,  and  gained  the  respect  of  his  men 
and  brother  officers  by  his  earnestness  and  the  soldierly 
qualities,  which  made  him  generally  popular  through 
out  the  regiment.  He  is  a  married  man,  and  will 
resume  his  legal  practice  after  a  year's  duty,  ably  and 
efficiently  performed,  for  his  adopted  flag  and  country. 

LIEUTENANT    EDWARD   J.    SHARP. 
Lieutenant  Sharp  is  a  native  of  Chatham,  Ont.,  and 
was  born  July  4,  1871.     His  military  career  dates  from 
March  i,  1894,  when  he  enlisted  as  a  private  in  Com- 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  277 

pany  C,  Second  Infy.  I.  N.  G.,  and  served  throughout 
the  great  railroad  strikes  of  that  year.  He  was  later 
promoted  Corporal  and  Sergeant,  and,  January  14, 
1898,  was  elected  Second  Lieutenant  of  the  company, 
and  as  such  was  mustered  into  the  United  States  service 
May  1 6,  1898.  September  19,  1898,  during  the  regi 
ment's  stay  in  Jacksonville,  Fla.,  he  was  detailed  as 
Quartermaster  of  the  First  Division  Hospital  oj  the 
Seventh  Corps,  and  continued  in  that  position  up  to 
the  time  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  of  the  service. 
November  23,  1898,  he  was  promoted  First  Lieutenant, 
vice  Paulsen,  deceased. 

Lieutenant  Sharp  has  ever  been  recognized  as  an 
able  and  conscientious  officer,  and  in  June,  1898,  was 
selected  as  one  of  the  three  officers  chosen  to  proceed  to 
Chicago  and  enlist  the  300  recruits  necessary  to  bring 
the  quotas  of  the  companies  up  to  the  required  maxi 
mum  of  1 06  men. 

Lieutenant  Sharp  is  a  single  man,  and  in  civil  life 
is  a  real  estate  salesman. 

LIEUTENANT    GEORGE    W.    BRISTOL. 

Lieutenant  Bristol  was  born  in  Fremont,  Ohio,  April 
5,  1865,  and  at  an  early  age  removed  to  Aurora,  111., 
where  he  received  his  early  education  in  the  schools  of 
that  city.  Subsequently  he  removed  to  Chicago,  where 
his  education  was  completed,  and  he  entered  business 
life  as  a  book-keeper,  and  was  for  a  number  of  years 
connected  with  the  Nonotuck  Silk  Co.,  of  that  city. 

August  21,  1882,  he  entered  upon  his  military  career 
by  enlisting  as  a  private  in  Company  G,  First  Infy.  I. 
N.  G.  December  19,  1884,  he  was  appointed  Corporal, 
and,  March  17,  1885,  was  promoted  First  Sergeant  of 


278          HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 


LIEUT.  GEORGE  W.  BRISTOL. 

the  company,  a  position  he  filled  for  over  four  years. 
During  his  incumbency  as  First  Sergeant  he  was  famed 
for  his  adherence  to  rules  and  regulations  governing 
the  forces  of  the  United  States,  and  some  of  the  more 
facetious  of  the  company ;  who  had  occasion  to  "run 
against"  the  First  Sergeant's  disciplinary  methods, 
dubbed  him  the  "Private's  Friend,"  and  the  appellation 
stuck  to  him  throughout  his  connection  with  the  "First." 
October  29,  1889,  he  was  elected  First  Lieutenant  of 
the  company,  and,  February  12,  1891,  was  chosen  Cap 
tain,  to  succeed  the  present  Colonel  of  the  regiment, 
Colonel  Jas.  B.  Sanborn.  February  12,  1894,  he  was 
reflected  Captain  of  the  company,  and,  January  8,  1896, 


279 


280          HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

resigned  and  removed  to  New  York.  During  his  con 
nection  with  the  "First"  he  was  identified  with  the  busi 
ness  conduct  of  "The  Guardsman,"  and  was  always  a 
prominent  factor  in  National  Guard  circles. 

The  beginning  of  the  Spanish- American  war  found 
him  a  citizen  of  New  York  City ;  and  when  the  call  to 
arms  came,  he  enlisted  as  a  private,  May  24,  1898,  in 
Company  F,  Twenty-second  New  York  Vol.  Infy.,  and 
continued  as  such,  acting  as  Company  Clerk,  until  the 
regiment  was  mustered  out  of  the  service,  November 
23,  1898.  The  regiment  was  an  old-established  one, 
with  an  honorable  record,  and  was  unfortunate  enough 
not  to  see  active  service ;  and  his  brief  career  with  the 
regiment  but  served  to  accentuate  his  military  ardor, 
and,  November  28,  1898,  found  him  with  a  commission 
as  Second  Lieutenant  of  Company  C,  Second  111.  Vol. 
Infy.,  in  his  pocket,  speeding  on  his  way  to  Havana, 
Cuba,  to  join  his  command,  with  whom  he  served  until 
the  muster-out  of  the  regiment,  April  26,  1899. 

COMPANY    HISTORY. 

Company  C  is  one  of  the  oldest  companies  in  the  regi 
ment,  and  has  always  enjoyed  an  enviable  reputation 
for  excellence  in  drill,  and  performed  valiant  service  to 
the  State  during  the  great  railroad  strikes  of  1894,  and 
also  at  Lemont,  111.,  the  year  previous. 

During  its  existence  as  a  National  Guard  company, 
it  was  at  various  times  commanded  by  Captains  Coy, 
Hardenbrook,  and  Mair,  and  for  a  number  of  years 
by  Major  James  E.  Stuart.  During  the  Lemont  strikes, 
the  company  was  commanded  by  First  Lieutenant 
Charles  C.  Ames,  and  early  in  1894  the  company  was 
disbanded  and  re-organized  by  Captain  Thomas  I.  Mair, 


28l 


252  HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

who  was  mustered  in  as  its  commander  March  5,  1894, 
since  which  time  he  has  remained  at  its  head. 

April  26,  1898,  the  company  reported  at  Springfield, 
111.,  and  in  the  subsequent  physical  examination,  previ 
ous  to  its  muster  into  the  United  States  service,  out  of 
101  examined,  but  one  man  was  rejected.  After  the 
regiment's  arrival  at  Jacksonville,  Fla.,  the  company 
was  honored,  on  June  8,  1898,  by  being  detailed  as 
Brigade  Guard  of  the  First  Brigade,  Second  Division, 
Seventh  Corps,  under  General  A.  S.  Burt.  Just  -about 
this  time  Captain  Mair  was  stricken  with  typhoid  fever ; 
and  for  nine  weeks  the  company  was  in  charge  of  First 
Lieutenant  Andrew  E.  Paulsen,  who  himself  was  sub 
sequently  stricken  with  the  same  malady,  and  died  in 
October. 

The  company's  many  accomplishments  were  recog 
nized  by  General  Burt,  who  became  attached  to  the 
company,  and  it  was  not  until  October  29,  1898,  that 
he  would  consent  to  having  the  company  relieved,  as 
is  the  custom  in  such  cases.  September  19,  1898,  the 
company  was  further  honored  by  the  appointment  of 
Second  Lieutenant  E.  J.  Sharp  as  Acting  Quartermaster 
of  the  First  Division  Hospital,  which  position  he  filled 
up  to  the  time  of  the  regiment's  muster-out.  After 
Lieutenant  Paulsen's  death  and  the  detailing  of  Lieu 
tenant  Sharp  on  detached  duty,  the  company  was  in  sole 
command  of  Captain  Mair,  and,  November  23d,  Lieu 
tenant  Sharp  was  promoted  First  Lieutenant,  and  Geo. 
W.  Bristol,  ex-Captain  of  Company  G,  First  Infy.  I.  N. 
G.,  was  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant  of  the  com 
pany,  and  joined  his  command  early  in  January,  1898. 

Shortly  after  the  regiment's  arrival  in  Havana,  Cuba, 
the  company  was  again  honored  by  being  detailed  on 


283 


284          HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

provost  duty  in  the  towns  of  Ouemados  and  Marianao, 
and  was  still  engaged  in  such  duty  when  the  regiment 
was  ordered  home.  Companies  C  and  L  were  the 
advance  guard  on  the  homeward  trip,  and  arrived  in 
Augusta,  Ga.,  April  I,  1899,  two  days  ahead  of  the 
balance  of  the  command. 

During  its  year  of  service,  of  the  maximum  of  106 
men,  the  company  gained  two  men  by  transfer,  and  lost 
eleven  by  discharge,  seven  by  transfer,  and  one  officer 
and  two  men  by  death.  Private  Ernest  Sinclair,  who 
had  been  acting  as  Chief  Clerk  at  Second  Division 
Headquarters,  was  the  first  of  the  company  to  die. 
He  was  stricken  with  typhoid  fever,  and  after  a  short 
illness  died  August  3Oth.  His  remains  were  sent  to 
his  relatives  at  Chica,  Mich.  The  next  to  succumb  was 
Private  August  Lembke,  who  died  of  typhoid  fever 
September  3,  1898,  at  the  Second  Division  Hospital. 
His  remains  were  sent  to  his  relatives  at  Oak  Park, 
111.,  for  interment.  Both  men  were  popular  among 
their  comrades,  and  their  untimely  end  cast  a  deep 
gloom  over  the  company.  About  this  time,  First  Lieu 
tenant  Andrew  E.  Paulsen  was  stricken  down  with  the 
dread  typhoid,  and  when  the  regiment  left  Jacksonville 
for  Savannah,  Ga.,  he  was  left  behind.  October  3<Dth 
word  was  received  that  the  Lieutenant  had  died,  and 
the  sorrowing  company  condoled  with  the  young  wife 
of  their  beloved  Lieutenant,  and  arrangements  were 
perfected  and  the  remains  sent  to  Chicago  for  interment. 

The  company  has  every  reason  to  be  proud  of  its 
record  during  its  year  of  service ;  and  Captain  Mair's 
conscientious  and  able  conduct  of  the  company's  affairs 
would  have  availed  nothing,  had  he  not  received  the 
united  and  loyal  support  of  every  man  in  the  company. 


HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 


285 


PROVOST  GUARD  COMPANY    C. 

The  company  was  also  fortunate  in  having  an  able  and 
efficient  staff  of  "non-coms;"  and  the  splendid  record 
of  the  company  is  due  in  a  great  measure  to  their  loyalty 
and  soldierly  qualities.  Chief  among  these  is  the  vet 
eran  First  Sergeant,  Harry  E.  Wade,  who  has  been  a 
member  of  the  company  since  1889,  and  who  was  ably 
assisted  by  Sergeants  Curran,  Cardiff,  Nelson,  and 
Rosenthal,  Quartermaster-Sergeant  Wm.  Alberts,  and 
Corporals  Fulton,  Kloehr,  Dillon,  Billington,  Fisher, 
Gowan,  Hulett,  Barclay,  Breitung,  Braddock,  Walz, 
and  Corporal  Lucas,  the  efficient  Company  Clerk. 

Others  who  contributed  their  share  of  hard  work 
were  Artificer  Hubert  Tanton,  Wagoner  Ernest  Cow- 
ley,  Trumpeter  Connell,  and  last,  but  not  least,  Company 
Cook  Corporal  Geo.  H.  Thomas. 


286          HISTORY    OF   THE   SECOND    REGIMENT 

To  give  each  member  of  the  company  their  meed  of 
credit  for  duty  well  and  faithfully  done,  would  be  to 
call  the  roll  of  the  company.  Suffice  to  say,  each  and 
every  individual  member  of  Company  C  can  return  to 
private  life  with  the  consciousness  of  having  per 
formed  their  full  duty  to  their  country,  State,  and 
regiment. 

ROSTER   OF    COMPANY    C. 

Mustered  into  service  May  16,  1898,  at  Springfield,  Illinois. 

OFFICERS. 

THOMAS  I.  MAIR,  Captain. — Mustered  into  service  May  16,  1898. 
ANDREW  E.  PAULSEN,  First  Lieutenant. — Mustered  into  service 

May  16,  1898.    Died  at  Jacksonville,  Fla.,  Oct.  30,  1898,  of 

typhoid  fever. 
EDWARD   J.    SHARP,    First    Lieutenant. — Mustered    as    Second 

Lieutenant  May  16,  1898. — Promoted  and  mustered  First 

Lieutenant,  Nov.  25,  1898. 
GEORGE    W.     BRISTOL,     Second    Lieutenant.       Commissioned, 

mustered  and  assigned  to  duty  with  Company  B,  Nov.  28, 

1898. 

HARRY  E.  WADE,  First  Sergeant. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. 
WILLIAM  A.  ALBERTS,  Q.  M.  Sergeant. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. 
JOHN  J.  CURRAN,  Sergeant. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. 
JAMES  S.  CARDIFF,  Sergeant. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. 
MOSES  B.  ROSENTHAL,  Sergeant. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. 
ALBERT  B.  NELSON,  Sergeant. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. 
GEORGE  S.  FULTON,  Corporal. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. 
FREDERICK  C.  LUCAS,  Corporal. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. 
AUGUST  H.  KLOEHR,  Corporal. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. 
THOMAS  B.  DILLON,  Corporal. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. 
ARTHUR  R.  BILLINGTON,  Corporal. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. 
WILLIAM  C.  FISHER,  Corporal. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. 
WILLIAM  C.  GOWEN,  Corporal. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. 
RALPH  W.  HULETT,  Corporal. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. 
WILLIAM  G.  BARCLAY,  Corporal. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. 
WILLIAM  BURGOYNE,  Corporal. — Discharged  Jan.  15,  1899. 
RICHARD  BREITUNG,  Corporal. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY 


287 


CHARLES  A.  WALZ,  promoted  Corporal  Jan.  15,  1899. 
WILLIAM  J.  CORNELL,  Musician. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. 
Louis  H.  BRADDOCK,  promoted  189  discharged     189 

HUGO  GRIMM,  Musician. — Mustered  June  23,  1898. 
HERBERT  CANTON,  Artificer. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. 
GEORGE  H.  THOMAS,  Camp  Cook. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. 
ERNEST  COWLEY,  Wagoner. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. 


PRIVATES. 


BACKSTROM,  PHILIP  G. 
BELROSE,  FRANK  C. 
BRAUN,  OSCAR  J. 
BIRCH,  MIKE. 
BREITUNG,  CHARLES  H. 
BROWN,  GEORGE  L. 

Discharged  Jan.  5,  1899. 
BULLOCK,  JOHN. 

Mustered  June  17,  1898. 
BERNER,  AUGUST  H. 

Mustered  June  18,  1898. 

BONTHORNE,    JOHN. 

Mustered  June  18,  1898. 
BUCK,  CHARLES  M. 

Discharged  Sept.  4,  1898. 
CALLAHAN,  THOMAS. 
CARLSON,  WALTER. 
CONCANNON,  JAMES  C. 
CONCANNON,  JOSEPH  T. 
CLARK,  SILAS  E. 

Mustered  June  18,  1898. 
CORDERMAN,  CHARLES  C. 
DAM  MERE,  PETER. 
DE  MAR,  TIMOTHY  J. 
EDGAR,  CLEMENT  B. 
ERDMAN,  GEORGE  R. 
FISHER,  CHARLES  E. 

Mustered  June  17,  1898. 
FICKEN,  WALTER  L. 

Mustered  June  17,  1898. 


1898. 


FUHRMAN,  WILLIAM. 

Mustered  June  18,  1898. 
GISVOLD,  ROY. 
GLEASON,  HARRY  B. 
GRASS,  HARRY  A. 
HAAVIND,  FRED  P. 
HEFFERMAN,  HERMAN. 
HANSON,  CHARLES. 
HOCKING,  JOSEPH  H. 
HOLBECK,  JESSEUR  A. 
HILT,  WARREN  P. 
JOHNSON,  CHARLES. 

Mustered  June  17, 
JOHNSON,  LEWIS  L. 

Mustered  June  17,  1898. 
JOHNSON,  THOMAS  B. 

Mustered  June  17,  1898. 
JOHNSTONE,  ALBIN. 
KIRCH NER,  CHARLES. 

Mustered  June  17,  1898. 
KLAPROTH,  ALBERT. 

Mustered  June  17,  1898. 
LAIRD,  CLARENCE  W. 
LEMBKE,  WILLIAM. 

Died    of    typhoid    fever    at 

Jacksonville,  Fla.,  Aug.  30, 

1898. 
LISE,  OTTO. 

Discharged  Sept.  5,  1898. 

LlTCHTENTHALER,    GEORGE. 


288 


HISTORY    OF    THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 


McKAY,  WILLIAM. 
McLooN,  CHARLES  F. 
MILLER,  WILLIAM  F. 
MATHER,  WILLIAM. 

Mustered  June  17,  1898. 
MEYER,  JOHN  C. 

Mustered  June  17,  1898. 
MOXLEY,  BENJAMIN  H. 
MULLEN,  JOHN. 
MYERS,  SAMUEL  H. 
NICHOLS,  CLAUDE  F£. 
OTTINGER,  AUGUST  C. 
PETERS,  JOHN  E. 
RAINBURG,  HENRY  J. 
ROTH,  ADOLPH  P. 
REASON,  ALLEN  L. 

Mustered  June  17,  1898. 
SANDBERG,  OLAF  E. 
STRANGE,  HENRY. 
SCHAEFER,  FRED  R. 

Mustered  June  17,  1898. 
SCHOMMER,  CHRIS. 

Mustered  June  18,   1898. 


SINCLAIR,  ERNST. 

Died    at   Jacksonville,    Fla., 

of   typhoid   fever,    Aug.    30, 

1898. 
SHEA,  JOHN  D. 

Discharged  Oct.  9,  1898. 
STRENG,  CHARLES. 
TURTON,  GEORGE  H. 
UTERMARK,  WILLIAM  C. 
VANDECAR,  OLIVER  P. 
VALLETTE,  E.  PERRY. 

Mustered  June  17,  1898. 
VOKOUN,  FRANK  h. 
WAGNER,  WILLIAM  J. 
WAGSTAFF,  LEROY. 
WELLS,  EDGAR  S. 

Mustered  June  17,  1898. 
WOLF,  JOSEPH, 

Discharged  Oct.  17,  1898. 
YOUNG,  HARRY  W. 

Discharged  March  4,  1899. 
ZEININGER,  WILLIAM  A. 

Mustered  June  17,  1898. 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

COMPANY    D. 

ROBERT    E.    BROOKS. 

Captain  Robert  E.  Brooks  was  born  December  20, 
1870,  atvStonyfork,  Tioga  Co.,  Pa.  From  here  the 
family  moved  to  Mansfield,  then  to  Wellsboro,  and, 
when  six  years  old,  to  Oberlin,  Ohio.  This  created 
in  him  a  fondness  for  travel  and  sight-seeing,  most  of 
his  youth  being  spent  in  that  pursuit.  Unlike  his 
friend  "Captain  Jack,"  the  rolling  stone  fable  did  not 
impress  him  as  a  suitable  motto.  He  did  not  dispute 
the  fact  about  its  "gathering  no  moss,"  but  found  con 
solation  in  knowing  that  in  constant  rolling  the  corners 
would  disappear  and  impediments  to  its  progress  be 
removed. 

After  a  trip  from  ocean  to  ocean,  and  many  to  inte 
rior  points,  he  enlisted  in  the  Regular  Army  at  Philadel 
phia,  April  9,  1888.  The  physical  test  was  an  easy  one, 
the  examining  surgeon  complimenting  him  on  his  splen 
did  physique.  He  was  assigned  to  Company  H,  Seventh 
Infy.,  and  was  stationed  at  Forts  Logan,  Leavenworth, 
and  Laramie.  At  the  expiration  of  his  enlistment,  in 
1891,  he  began  work  in  the  press  rooms  of  the  Chicago 
Record,  and  joined  Company  D,  Second  Reg.  Infy. 
I.  N.  G.  He  was  soon  promoted  Sergeant,  holding  this 
rank  until  discharged,  in  November,  1893,  to  reenlist 
in  the  Seventh  U.  S.  Infy.  He  finished  five  years' 
service  May  10,  1896,  and  took  his  discharge,  returning 

289 


290          HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

to  Chicago  and  resuming  his  position  with  the  Record. 
January  i,  1897,  he  reenlisted  in  Company  D,  Second 
Reg.  He  was  appointed  Sergeant  the  same  month, 
and  First  Sergeant  shortly  after.  He  was  elected  First 
Lieutenant  July  12,  1897,  entered  U.  S.  service  in  that 
capacity,  and  was  promoted  Captain  on  death  of  Cap 
tain  Chadwick. 

Captain  Brooks  has  proven  a  most  efficient  officer, 
and  worthy  the  high  esteem  with  which  he  is  held  by 
his  friends  as  soldier  and  civilian.  On  muster-out  he 
resumed  his  duties  with  the  Record,  and  will  remain 
in  the  service  of  the  State  militia. 

EDWARD    F.    HOLDEN. 

Lieutenant  Edward  F.  Holden  was  born  in  New 
York  City  June  16,  1861.  He  has  lived  in  Chicago 
since  1869,  where  he  was  educated  in  the  public  schools. 
In  1894  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Mrs.  Williams, 
nee  Miss  Anzo  Anderson,  whose  home  was  in  Iowa. 
He  entered  civil  service  Postoffice  Department  as  a 
letter-carrier  in  1890,  which  position  he  held  until  1896. 

His  military  service  began  eighteen  years  ago,  when 
Company  D  was  a  part  of  the  old  Sixth  Battalion,  the 
date  of  his  enlistment  being  June  23,  1881.  December 
23,  1883,  he  was  promoted  Sergeant.  He  has  been  con 
tinually  in  service  since  enlistment,  except  for  a  period 
between  June  23,  1895,  and  December  17,  1896.  When 
troops  assembled  at  Springfield  he  acted  as  First  Ser 
geant  until  date  of  muster  into  U.  S.  service,  May  i6th, 
when  he  was  commissioned  as  Second  Lieutenant. 
November  8th  he  was  promoted  First  Lieutenant. 

Lieutenant  Holden  is  one  of  the  oldest  members  of 
the  regiment,  and  is  very  popular  with  officers  and 


29 1 


292          HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

enlisted  men.  His  wife  accompanied  him  to  Cuba, 
and  was  in  Augusta,  Ga.,  while  the  regiment  was  there. 
No  officer  in  the  regiment  has  more  personal  friends 
than  Lieutenant  Holden. 

HARRISON    S.    KERRICK. 

Harrison  S.  Kerrick,  Second  Lieutenant  of  Com 
pany  D,  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Woodford  Co.,  111., 
October  13,  1873.  His  parents  moved  to  Minonk  two 
years  later,  and  in  1890  he  was  graduated  from  the  high 
school.  Then  he  began  a  college  course  at  the  Illinois 
Wesleyan  University,  Bloomington,  111.,  which  was 
later  continued  at  Northern  Illinois  Normal  School, 
Dixon,  111.,  where  he  received  the  degree  of  B.S.  in 
August,  1894,  also  commission  as  Brevet  Second  Lieu 
tenant,  I.  N.  G.  for  completing  the  course  in  Military 
Science  at  same  institution.  During  the  World's  Fair 
he  was  a  member  of  Captain  Horace  M.  Elliott's  Com 
pany  of  Columbian  Guards,  and  later  was  employed 
two  years  as  receipt  clerk  for  the  Union  Steamboat 
Company. 

At  the  outbreak  of  the  war  he  was  principal  of  Los- 
tant,  111.,  public  schools,  which  position  he  gave  up  in 
May  to  organize  Company  E  of  the  Peoria  Provisional 
Regiment,  being  elected  Captain  of  same.  He  saw  lit 
tle  chance  of  going  in  this  capacity,  but,  being  anxious 
for  service,  he  hastened  to  Chicago  with  a  few  mem 
bers  of  his  command,  and  all  enlisted  as  recruits  in  Sec 
ond  111.  Vol.,  his  assignment  being  to  Company  G.  He 
entered  the  regiment  a  stranger,  but  possessed  of  ster 
ling  qualities.  He  was  promoted  Corporal  July  i2th, 
and  was  appointed  Second  Lieutenant  of  Company  D 
November  8,  1898.  In  Havana  he  was  one  of  three 


%^*  ••  ^ 


*•»».•-  14 


*     «^4 


293 


294  HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

officers  detailed  from  Second  111.  Vol.  for  temporary 
duty  with  Tenth  U.  S.  Infy.,  doing  provost  duty  in  the 
city  during  the  troublesome  period  following  the 
evacuation. 

He  accompanied  the  First  Battalion  to  Cardenas, 
where  he  was  detailed  on  special  duty  as  Sanitary 
Inspector  and  Superintendent  of  Street  Cleaning,  until 
ordered  relieved  to  join  his  regiment  for  muster-out 
in  the  United  States. 

Lieutenant  Kerrick  is  a  splendid  type  of  the  educated 
young  American,  and  his  friends  bespeak  for  him  a 
bright  future. 

COMPANY    HISTORY. 

When  assembly  sounded  at  9:15  on  the  evening  of 
April  26th,  Captain  Chadwick  found  112  stalwart 
patriots  in  line,  eager  for  the  fray,  and  anxious  to  fol 
low  him  wherever  duty  called.  His  seniority  gave 
Company  D  the  important  post  at  the  right  of  the  line 
in  all  regimental  formations.  He  was  justly  proud  of 
them  this  night  as  the  regiment  wheeled  into  column 
of  four's  and  started  on  the  march  to  Union  depot,  their 
appearance  being  a  signal  for  outbursts  of  applause  and 
recognition  of  their  fitness  to  lead  not  only  the  regi 
ment,  but  any  brigade,  division  or  corps  of  which  they 
might  become  a  factor.  The  rendezvous  at  Spring 
field  was  a  good  initiation  into  the  discomforts  awaiting 
them  in  the  army  camps,  and  furnished  Lieutenant 
Brooks  a  splendid  opportunity  of  applying  his  knowl 
edge  of  soldiering  under  difficulties,  gained  by  five 
years'  service  in  the  Regular  Army.  His  timely  aid 
and  suggestions  were  felt  all  over  the  regiment,  and 
went  far  in  meeting  the  difficulties  and  complications, 
and  restoring  harmony. 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  295 

First  Sergeant  Edward  F.  Holden  and  Quarter 
master-Sergeant  Walter  Moore  also  rendered  valuable 
service,  which  was  recognized  when  mustered  into  the 
U.  S.  service  by  their  appointment  as  Second  Lieu 
tenant  and  First  Sergeant,  respectively. 

The  necessity  of  reducing  each  company  to  eighty- 
four  men,  and  the  severe  physical  examination,  robbed 
them  of  many  valuable  members,  especially  that  of 
Color- Sergeant  Joseph  Holden,  whose  long  and  faith 
ful  service  of  fifteen  years  would  have  been  recognized 
in  his  appointment  as  Second  Lieutenant. 

The  battalion  felt  this  loss  keenly ;  and,  headed  by  the 
band,  accompanied  him  to  the  train  when  it  became 
necessary  for  him  to  return  to  Chicago.  Camp  Cuba 
Libre  was  nearer  the  scene  of  hostilities,  but  full  of 
impediments  to  health  and  comfort ;  but  each  officer  and 
soldier  did  his  part,  and  the  proficiency  of  the  company 
gradually  increased,  being  a  source  of  much  pride  and 
pleasure  to  them  as  individuals  and  as  an  organization. 
This,  in  a  measure,  accounts  for  their  good  fellowship 
in  quarters,  good  conduct  in  the  field  or  on  the  march, 
the  splendid  showing  at  parade  or  in  review,  and  their 
popularity  everywhere. 

The  breaking  of  camp  at  Jacksonville  and  move- 
merit  to  Savannah  was  intermingled  with  thoughts  of 
anticipated  service  in  foreign  land,  and  sorrow  of  the 
past,  for  their  comrade  Private  Mariner,  the  company 
cook,  had  just  been  laid  to  rest  in  Graceland  cemetery, 
a  willing  sacrifice  for  Cuba  Libre ;  and  Captain  Chad- 
wick  had  started  to  his  home  and  loved  ones  in  Chi 
cago  after  a  lingering  illness  contracted  in  line  of  duty. 
They  had  bidden  him  God-speed  and  early  recovery  and 
return;  but,  alas,  he,  too,  was  summoned  to  join  the 
innumerable  caravan  before  reaching  those  he  loved  so 


296          HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

dearly,  the  loving  wife  and  affectionate  children,  when 
only  part  way  home  in  a  strange  city,  alone,  but  not 
forgotten.  Lieutenant  Brooks  had  reached  Chatta 
nooga,  returning  from  Chicago,  where  he  had  gone 
as  escort  to  the  remains  of  Comrade  Mariner,  and  acci 
dentally  learned  of  Captain  Chadwick's  death  in  that 
city  the  night  before,  October  26th.  He  returned  with 
the  remains,  and  saw  them  quietly  laid  to  rest  at  Grace- 
land.  Colonel  Moulton  caused  the  following  general 
order  to  be  promulgated  : 

"HEADQUARTERS  SECOND  ILL.  VOL.  INFY. 

"CAMP  ONWARD,  SAVANNAH,  GA., 
"G.  O.  No.  40.  Oct.  28,  1898. 

"It  is  with  profound  sorrow  that  the  Regimental 
Commander  announces  to  the  command  the  demise  of 
Capt.  William  A.  Chadwick.  Capt.  Chadwick  entered 
Second  Regiment  in  1879,  and  served  continuously  in 
I.  N.  G.  since  above  date,  until  the  breaking  out  of  the 
present  war,  when  he  entered  the  U.  S.  Vol.  Army.  He 
rose  through  different  non-commissioned  and  commis 
sioned  grades  until  he  obtained  rank  of  Captain, 
Nov.  12,  1890. 

"His  death  occurred  at  Chattanooga,  Tenn.,  Oct.  26, 
1898,  while  en  route  on  sick  leave  to  his  home  in  Chi 
cago,  111.  Officers  will  wear  the  usual  badge  of  mourn 
ing  for  the  period  of  30  days. 

"By  command  of  Col.  Moulton. 

"(Signed)     FRANK  W.  MECHENER, 

"Act.  Adjt.  and  First  Lieut." 

This  vacancy  was  filled  by  the  promotion  of  Lieu 
tenants  Brooks  and  Holden  and  appointment  of  Cor 
poral  Harrison  S.  Kerrick,  Company  G,  as  Second 
Lieutenant.  This  change  of  officers  also  made  change 
of  position  in  time ;  but  "the  first  shall  be  last,  and  the 
last  shall  be  first,"  their  only  regret  being  the  loss  of 
their  gallant  commander. 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  297 

In  compliance  with  an  order  from  Corps  Head 
quarters,  Company  D,  Second  111.,  and  Company  F, 
Fourth  Va.,  were  designated  from  First  and  Second 
Brigade,  Second  Division,  for  provost  guard  duty  in 
the  city  of  Savannah. 

This  was  cheerful  news  to  the  men,  and  when  reveille 
sounded  on  the  morning  of  November  29th  preparations 
were  well  under  way  for  the  move.  At  9  a.  m.  the 
wagons  were  all  loaded,  the  quarters  thoroughly  policed, 
assembly  sounded,  and  Drummer  Cody  led  the  way  to 
Regimental  Headquarters,  where  customary  ceremonies 
were  rendered,  after  which  Colonel  Moulton  stepped 
from  his  office,  removed  his  glasses,  and,  in  his  firm, 
deep  voice,  said :  "You  are  about  to  enter  on  a  very 
important  tour  of  duty  as  Provost  Guard  in  the  city 
of  Savannah,  relieving  a  company  from  Fourth  Illi 
nois  Volunteers,  whose  continued  service  the  past  few 
months  has  made  for  them  an  enviable  record.  I  trust 
you  will  return  having  performed  the  duties  in  a  man 
ner  reflecting  credit  to  your  company  and  regiment. 
I  wish  you  success,  and  a  pleasant  tour  of  duty."  Then 
began  the  four-mile  tramp  in  heavy  marching  order. 
The  weather  was  cool,  a  splendid  morning  for  such  a 
journey,  and  courtesies  were  soon  being  exchanged 
with  the  Fourth  Illinois  company ;  and  at  noontide 
ample  justice  was  done  the  splendid  dinner  which  had 
hurriedly  been  prepared. 

The  new  duties  were  entered  upon  with  determina 
tion,  to  carry  out  the  Colonel's  wishes.  Regulation 
guard  mount  preceded  each  tour  of  duty,  which  we 
shared  alternately  with  Captain  Cansey's  company, 
who  proved  very  congenial  companions,  the  Captain 
later  in  Camp  Columbia  being  a  frequent  visitor  to  our 


298          HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

camp.  Strict  discipline  was  enforced,  and  an  enviable 
record  soon  established.  Corporal  Dannell  had  re 
mained  at  the  old  camp  with  a  detail  to  guard  company 
property  that  could  not  be  moved.  Corporal  Hartigan 
lived  in  Savannah  several  years  ago,  and  was  glad  of 
this  opportunity  to  renew  old  acquaintances.  Ser 
geants  Moore  and  Wright  were  kept  busy  with  their 
usual  duties.  Sergeant  Anderson  had  charge  of  a 
squad  at  Tivoli  Hall,  which  is  equivalent  to  saying  good 
order  prevailed.  Captain  Brooks  acted  as  assistant  to 
Major  Russel  B.  Harrison  part  of  the  time.  Lieutenant 
Holden  had  a  thrillino-  experience  with  a  hammerless 
gun,  enjoyed  most  when  told  by  him.  An  attack  of 
yellow  jaundice  somewhat  incapacitated  Lieutenant 
Kerrick ;  but  liberal  application  of  carrots  and  sodium 
phosphate  soon  brought  relief. 

The  Camp  Fire  Club  gave  several  amusing  recitals 
before  a  roaring  fire,  which  were  greatly  enjoyed  by 
the  fortunate  spectators,  the  clever  linguistic  work  of 
Wagoner  O'Brien  deserving  special  mention. 

The  district  patrolled  was  in  the  heart  of  the  business 
center,  with  Headquarters  and  camp  in  Irish  Park,  a 
high  bluff  rising  from  the  river  and  fronting  on  Bay 
street,  overlooking  adjacent  factories  and  docks  on  the 
south  and  the  dismal  swamps  and  pine  forests  of  South 
Carolina  to  the  northward.  The  intervals  of  duty  were 
pleasantly  spent  in  visiting  the  miles  of  wharfage, 
where  lay  the  craft  of  many  nations,  the  old  forts  and 
battlefields,  the  public  parks,  and  other  places  of  inter 
est,  and  in  a  social  way  at  the  fireside  of  many  pleasant 
homes  to  which  they  were  invited,  and  there  to  be  the 
recipients  of  that  genuine  Southern  hospitality  of  which 
we  love  so  much  to  speak.  This  was  congenial  duty,  but 


299 


3°°          HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

"Havana  was  our  Mecca,"  and  cheer  after  cheer  greeted 
the  orders  for  us  to  join  our  regiment  on  board  the 
United  States  transport  "Michigan"  for  the  voyage  to 
Havana.  Had  they  known  the  discomforts  in  store  for 
them  on  the  old  cattle-carrier,  the  joy  at  leaving  would 
have  been  more  feebly  expressed. 

On  reaching  Havana,  an  Orderly  approached  Cap 
tain  Brooks  with  a  detail  for  him  as  Officer  of  the  Day, 
and  orders  for  Lieutenant  Holden,  a  Sergeant,  three 
Corporals,  and  thirty-three  men,  to  act  as  shore  guard. 
So  it  fell  to  the  lot  of  this  company  to  perform  the  last 
duty  in  the  United  States  and  the  first  duty  in  Cuba. 
The  shore  guard  was  recalled  at  3  p.  m.,  and  the  entire 
company  put  in  charge  of  the  first  wagon  train,  to 
guard  it  on  the  eight-mile  trip  to  the  new  camp.  The 
train  was  not  ready  until  late  in  the  afternoon,  and  the 
danger  of  a  night  trip  caused  their  delay  in  starting 
until  the  following  morning.  In  the  meantime  the 
men  laid  upon  their  arms  in  the  narrow  streets  of 
Havana  alongside  the  Spanish  arsenal  and  barracks, 
full  of  Spanish  soldiers.  Before  daylight  their  knowl 
edge  of  Cuban  tactics  and  numerous  other  things  was 
quite  complete;  and  a  Corporal  of  the  Tenth  Infantry 
had  hurriedly  changed  his  opinion  about  the  Volunteers 
being  "tin  soldiers."  They  conducted  the  wagon  train 
safely  to  camp,  and  had  the  contents  distributed  at 
each  company's  street  before  the  regiment  arrived. 

The  camp  was  an  ideal  one,  the  scarcity  of  water  be 
ing  the  only  drawback,  but  this  was  soon  remedied. 
Frequent  trips  were  enjoyed  to  the  beach  for  bathing 
and  gathering  shells,  sea  ferns,  corals,  etc.  Much  time 
was  spent  in  beautifying  the  Company  Street  by  hauling 
sand  and  corals  and  transplanting  royal  palms  and  cen 
tury  plants.  The  star  and  crescent  and  monogram  of 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY 


301 


COMPANY   D    STREET  PICTURE. 

Company  "D,  shown  in  the  accompanying  cut,  and  the 
walk  leading  past  each  tent,  with  palms  on  either  side, 
never  failed  to  attract  the  attention  of  visitors ;  and 
when  General  Lee  was  showing  his  old  friend,  Captain 
Sigsbee,  the  beauties  of  Camp  Columbia,  early  in 
March,  he  stopped  here  long  enough  to  say  to  his  guest : 
'This  is  the  prettiest  street  in  the  camp."  He  has 
invariably  applauded  their  perfect  line  and  soldierly 
appearance  whenever  passing  him  in  review;  and  the 
General  has  no  more  appreciative  admirers  and  well- 
wishers  than  the  men  of  Company  D,  Second  111.  Vol. 
They  return  with  a  proud  record  of  honest  and  faithful 
service,  in  a  war  which  has  won  for  American  arms  the 
admiration  and  commendation  of  the  entire  civilized 
world. 


302          HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 


ROSTER    OF    COMPANY    D. 

OFFICERS. 

WM.  A.  CHADWICK,  Captain. — Mustered  May  16,  1898,  Spring 
field,  Illinois.  Died  Oct.  26,  1898,  at  Chattanooga,  Tenn., 
en  route  for  Chicago,  of  typhoid  fever. 

ROBERT  E.  BROOKS,  Captain. — Mustered  as  First  Lieutenant 
May  16,  1898. — Mustered  as  Captain  Nov.  8,  1898,  same 
company. 

EDWARD  F.  HOLDEN,  First  Lieutenant. — Mustered  Nov.  8,  1898, 
as  Second  Lieutenant,  May  16,  1898. 

HARRISON  S.  KERRICK,  Second  Lieutenant,  promoted  from  Cor 
poral  Company  G. — Transferred  and  mustered  Nov.  8, 
1898. 

WALTER  MOORE,  First  Sergeant.— Mustered  and  appointed  May 
16,  1898. 

HARRY  E.  WOOD,  Q.  M.  Sergeant.— Mustered  and  appointed 
Corporal  May  16,  1898.— Promoted  Jan.  7,  1899. 

JAMES  M.  ANDERSON,  Sergeant. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. 

CHAS.  L.  SIMONSON,  Sergeant. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. — Dis 
charged  Oct.  14,  1898. 

FRANK  SPENSLEY,  Sergeant. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. — Dis 
charged  Dec.  31,  1898. 

WALTER  R.  WRIGHT,  Sergeant. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. — Dis 
charged  Jan.  7,  1899. 

THOMAS  W.  ARMSTRONG,  Sergeant.— Mustered  May  16,  1898.— 
Promoted  Nov.  i,  1898. 

VICTOR  I.  CHINLUND,  Sergeant.— Mustered  May  16,  1898,  as 
Corporal. — Promoted  Jan.  7,  1899. 

FRANK  B.  MC&NNIS,  Sergeant.— Mustered  May  16,  1898,  as 
Corporal. — Promoted  Jan.  7,  1899. 

WILLIAM  B.  RAWLINS,  Corporal.— Mustered  May  16,  1898  — 
Discharged  Dec.  27,  1898. 

DEAN  K.  COLE,  Corporal.— Mustered  May  16,  1898. 

JOHN  W.  GOUGH,  Corporal. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. 

FRANK  ZIMMERMAN,  Corporal.— Mustered  May  16,  1898. 

CHAS.  F.  DANNELL,  Corporal.— Mustered  May  16,  1898.— Pro 
moted  July  i,  1898. 

COLIN  MCKENZIE,  Corporal.— Mustered  May  16,  1898.— Pro 
moted  July  i,  1898. 


3°3 


3°4          HISTORY    OF    THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

THOMAS  R.  HARTIGAN,  Corporal. — Mustered  May  16,  1898.— 
.    Promoted  July  i,  1898. 

FRANK  DEWEY,  Wagoner. — Promoted  March  7,  1899. 
CHAS.  HAWINSON,  Corporal. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. — Pro 
moted  Jan.  i,  1899. 

MARTIN  I.  McCoRMiCK,  Corporal. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. — 
Promoted  Jan.  7,  1899. 

FREDERICK    J.    MARSH  MANN. — Corporal. — Mustered    May    16, 
1898.— Promoted  Jan.  7,   1899. 

CHAS.   N.  .BROWN,  Corporal. — Mustered  May,  16,  1898. — Pro 
moted  Jan.  20,  1899. 

JOHN   B.   DOWDLE,   Corporal. — Mustered  May   16,    1898. — Pro 
moted  Jan.  20,  1899. 

HIRAM  H.  KELLOGG. — Discharged  Feb.  25,  1899. 

HENRY  G.   NEIGELSON,  Cook. — Mustered  May  16,    1898. — Ap 
pointed  Jan.  7,  1899. 

ALEXANDER  W.  CODY,  Musician. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. 

ERNEST  RULISHAUSER,  Musician. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. 

GRANT  HOLMES,  Artificer. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. 

PRIVATES. 

AHRENS,  GEORGE  W.  BEYER,  LEONARD. 

Mustered  May  16,  1898.  BIORN,  GEORGE  M. 

Transferred  from  Co.  K  to       Discharged  Jan.  25,  1899. 

Co.  D.  Jan.  20,  1899.  BORDEWICH,  LANDOW. 

ALFSEN,  OLUF.  Cox,  GEORGE. 

Mustered  May  16,  1898.  Mustered  June  22,  1898. 

Transferred  to  U.   S.   Hos-       Discharged  Dec.  7,  1898. 

pital  Corps,  June  10,  1898.  CRAFT,  ERNEST  G. 
ALFSEN,  ALFRED.  Transferred  to  U.   S.  Hos- 

ALFSEN,  CHARLES  O.  pital  Corps  June  24,  1898. 

Mustered  June  17,  1898.  DASCHER,  CHARLES  A. 

ANDERER,  JACOB.  DUDLEY,  JOHN. 

Mustered  June  17,   1898.  ENGSTROM,  CHARLES  E. 

ARMER,  JOSEPH,  FORD,  ORVILLE  G. 

Mustered  June  18,  1898.  Mustered  June  22,  1898. 

ARTING,  SAMUEL.  GARRARD,  FREDERICK  C. 

BARNES,  WALTER  O.  GERTSEN,  GERHARDT. 

Mustered  June  17,  1898.  Mustered  June  17,  1898. 

BATEMAN,  JAMES  A.  GLASEBROOK,  WILLIAM  H. 

Mustered  June  21,   1898.  GOODE,  JAMES  H. 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY 


305 


GOULD/  THOMAS  A. 
GURKE,  WILLIAM  C. 

Mustered  June  18,  1898. 
HALLISEY,  WILLIAM  H. 
HARTIGAN,  WILLIAM  W. 

Mustered  June  21,  1898. 
HAUSCHILD,  MARTIN. 

Mustered  June  18,  1898. 
HAUTAU,  CHARLES  F. 
KELT,  EARLE  S. 
HLARACEK,  JOSEPH. 

Mustered  June  21,  1898. 
HUTCHISON,  ULYSISS  C. 
INGRAM,  EDWARD  L. 
JOHNSON,  CHARLES  A. 
JOHNSON,  EDWIN  D. 

Mustered  June  21,  1898. 
KENNEDY,  CHARLES  E. 
KINDIG,  HENRY. 
KORTANEK,  JOHN. 

Mustered  June  18,  1898. 
KREIZA,  RUDOLPH. 

Mustered  June  22,  1898. 
LA  WALL,  FREDERICK  E. 

Mustered  June  17,  1898. 
LAW-SON,  ELMER  M. 
LIETZMAN,  FRANK  A. 

Mustered  June  17,  1898. 
LISCOM,  JOHN  S. 

Mustered  June  22,  1898. 
LONERGAN,  MARTIN. 
McCAGUE,  FRANK  W. 
MCCARTHY,  DENIS  F. 

Transferred  from  Co.  K. 

Co.  D,  Nov.  27,  1898. 
MARKS,  ALFRED  E. 

Mustered  June  22,  1898. 
MEUSE,  CLEMENT. 

Mustered  June  22,  1898. 
MOLINELLI,  MARK  G. 

Discharged  Dec.  31,  1898. 
MOORE,  LESLIE  J. 
MURPHY,  JOSEPH  T. 


MURRAN,  WILLIAM. 

Transferred  to  LF.   S.   Hos 
pital  Corps,  June  10,  1898. 
NELSON,  THOMAS  F. 
O'BRIEN,  EDWARD  J. 

Transferred  to  Co.  B,  July 

28,  1898. 
OCOSEK,  JAMES  C. 

Transferred    to    the    Band, 

May  24,  1898. 
OLK,  CHARLES  N. 
OLSEN,  NELS. 
OSBORNE,  FREDERICK  L. 
OZINGER,  NICHOLAS. 
RICHARDSON,  GEORGE  W. 
RUSKAWITZ,  SYLVESTER  J. 
SCHLOCK,  ALFRED  J. 

Discharged  Jan.  31,  1899. 
SCHULER,  HERMAN. 

Mustered  June  17,  1898. 
SCHULLER,  MARTIN. 

Discharged  Dec.   27,    1898. 
SCHULT,  HAROLD. 
SEELEY,  ERNEST. 
SETZER,  PETER. 
S  HELTON,  WILLIAM  W. 
TAGGS,  GEORGE  W. 
TAIT,  WALTER  E. 
TYMICK,  FREDERICK. 

Discharged  Oct.  10,  1898. 
TRIMPLER,  WILLIAM  F. 
VENTON,  FRANCIS  J. 

Mustered  June  21,  1898. 
to  VERHALEN,  FRANK. 
WHITMORE,  BERT  S. 

Mustered  June  22,  1898. 
WILKIN,  ALWYN. 

Mustered  June  17,  1898. 

Discharged  Sept.  10,  1898. 
WYLIE,  HARRY  E. 

Mustered  June  17,  1898. 

Discharged  Oct.  3,  1898. 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

COMPANY    E- 

CAPTAIN    HENRY    NUSSBAUMER. 

Captain  Nussbaumer  was  born  in  Chicago  on  January 
27,  1871,  and  is  by  profession  a  taxidermist.  His  mili 
tary  career  dates  from  1890,  when  he  enlisted  as  a 
private  in  Company  G,  Second  Infy.  I.  N.  G.  April 
8,  1893,  he  was  promoted  Corporal,  and  April  10,  1894, 
promoted  Sergeant.  He  was  discharged  December  7, 
1895,  and  reenlisted  in  Company  E,  September,  1896. 
The  following  month  he  was  appointed  Sergeant,  and 
a  month  later  promoted  to  First  Sergeant.  February 
24,  1897,  he  was  elected  Second  Lieutenant,  and  in 
October  of  the  same  year  was  advanced  to  First  Lieu 
tenant.  April  7,  1898,  he  was  elected  Captain,  and  was 
mustered  into  the  United  States  service  as  such  May 
1 6,  1898. 

While  at  Springfield,  111.,  Captain  Nuss-baumer  ran 
up  to  Chicago  for  a  few  days,  and  married  Miss  Madge 
Hornbeck.  The  Captain  tried  to  keep  it  a  secret,  but 
the  boys  "caught  on,'  and  greeted  the  Captain  one  night 
in  the  Dome  building  with  an  old-fashioned  charivari. 
Mrs.  Nussbaumer  later  joined  her  husband  at  Jackson 
ville,  and  was  with  him  in  Savannah  and  Havana,  and 
endeared  herself  to  the  members  of  the  company  by 
numerous  acts  of  womanly  kindness  and  solicitude  for 
their  physical  comforts. 

306 


w  I 

>H  g 

5  * 

°-  £ 

O  w 

CJ  K 


307 


3°S  HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

Captain  Nussbaumer  is  the  second  youngest  Captain 
in  the  regiment,  and  at  Jacksonville,  Fla.,  on  August 
15,  1898,  he  was  presented  with  an  elegant  sword  and 
belt  by  the  members  of  the  company. 

LIEUTENANT  JOHN   EDWARD   VANNATTA. 

Lieutenant  Vannatta  is  also  a  Chicagoan  by  birth,  and 
was  born  August  n,  1872.  He  is  a  graduate  of  the 
Chicago  College  of  Law,  and  was  just  entering  upon 
a  promising  career  at  the  bar,  when  he  relinquished  all 
and  responded  to  his  country's  call.  He  enlisted  as  a 
private  in  Company  G,  Second  Infy.  I.  N.  G.,  Septem 
ber,  1893,  and  October  22,  1894,  was  appointed  Cor 
poral.  February  22,  1895,  he  was  promoted  to  Ser 
geant,  and  was  honorably  discharged  May,  1896. 
November  18,  1896,  he  reenlisted  in  Company  E,  and, 
in  January,  1897,  was  appointed  Sergeant.  When  the 
company  was  mustered  into  the  United  States  service, 
May  16,  1898,  Sergeant  Vanatta  was  mustered  in  as 
First  Lieutenant  of  the  company,  and  retained  that 
rank  during  the  regiment's  year  of  active  service. 

LIEUTENANT    EDWARD    H.    TITUS. 

Lieutenant  Titus  is  a  native  of  Ohio,  and  was  born 
in  Jackson  county,  that  State,  February  18,  1874.  By 
occupation  he  is  a  salesman,  and  previous  to  being  mus 
tered  into  the  United  States  service,  had  charge  of  the 
woolen  department  of  Marshall  Field  and  Co's  retail 
store  in  Chicago.  Lieutenant  Titus'  military  career 
dates  from  September  24,  1893,  when  he  enlisted  as  a 
private  in  Company  G,  Second  Infy.  I.  N.  G.  January 
5,  1895,  he  was  promoted  Corporal,  and  served  through 
the  labor  riots  of  1894,  and  was  honorably  discharged 


309 


310          HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

upon  expiration  oi  his  term  of  service,  September  23, 
1896.  October  2,  1896,  he  reenlisted  in  Company  E, 
and  later  was  promoted  Corporal.  November  20,  1897, 
he  was  elected  Second  Lieutenant  of  the  company,  and 
was  mustered  into  the  United  States  service  as  such 
May  1 6,  1898.  Lieutenant  Titus  is  married  and  has 
one  child,  a  girl.  Mrs.  Titus  and  the  child  were  visi 
tors  to  the  camp  in  Havana. 

Lieutenant  Titus,  during  the  last  six  months  of  the 
regiment's  service,  acted  as  Adjutant  of  the  Third 
Battalion,  and  performed  the  duties  of  that  office  with 
extreme  credit  to  himself.  He  is  popular  with  the  mem 
bers  of  his  company,  who,  while  regretting  his  absence 
from  the  company,  were  gratified  to  see  his  ability 
recognized. 

COMPANY    HISTORY. 

Company  E  is  one  of  the  charter  companies  of  the 
Second  Regiment,  coming  from  the  old  Sixth  Battalion. 
At  the  time  of  its  entrance  into  the  State  service  it  was 
officered  by  Robert  C.  Vierling,  Captain ;  Frank  Lasher, 
First  Lieutenant,  and  Wm.  So-ams,  Second  Lieutenant. 

At  different  periods  of  its  service  as  a  National  Guard 
Company  it  was  commanded  by  such  men  as  Edward 
Baker,  Clarence  Fuller,  Percy  Palmer,  Leroy  T.  Stew 
ard,  and  Wm.  P.  Dusenberry,  now  Major  of  the  Second 
Battalion,  a  sufficient  guarantee  of  the  standard  of 
excellence  in  drill  and  discipline  maintained  by  the  com 
pany.  The  company  saw  service  with  the  regiment  in 
all  the  troubles  arising  during  the  period  of  its  existence, 
including  the  Stock  Yards  riots  and  the  great  American 
Railway  Union  strike,  in  1894.  At  the  call  of  Gover 
nor  Tanner,  in  1898,  for.  troops  for  service  in  the  war 
with  Spain,  Company  E  went  to  Springfield  with  the 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  31  I 

same  enthusiasm  and  earnest  loyalty  which  has  always 
characterized  it. 

Of  the  109  soldiers — three  commissioned  officers,  and 
106  'enlisted  men — who  composed  this  company  when  it 
had  reached  its  maximum  strength  on  June  25,  1898, 
not  one  was  dropped  from  the  roll  by  death  or  desertion, 
or  with  a  discharge  which  he  could  not  point  to  in  future 
years  with  satisfaction  and  pride.  Many,  too  many, 
left  the  ranks  they  had  entered  in,  in  the  flush  and  vigor 
of  their  manhood,  stricken  down  by  the  blighting  fevers 
of  Southern  camps,  and  many  reluctantly  severed  their 
connection  with  the  regiment  under  orders  from  the 
War  Department,  brought  about  usually  by  the  solici 
tude  of  over-anxious  friends.  It  is  rare  that  in  a  com 
pany  of  men  tenting  together  in  many  camps,  and  often 
under  conditions  calculated  to  ruffle  the  best  of  tempers, 
no  animosities  are  aroused  and  no  ill-feelings  exist. 
Such  an  assertion  can  be  confidently  made  in  the  case  of 
Company  E.  Not  an  instance  is  on  record  of  ill-treat 
ment  or  insult  from  one  member  of  the  company  to 
another  during  the  whole  course  of  its  service.  The 
kindliest  and  most  fraternal  feelings  always  prevailed, 
and  a  spirit  of  good-fellowship  and  interdependence 
existed  that  was  productive  of  the  best  result. 

A  few  words  about  the  personal  characteristics  of 
some  of  the  members  may  not  be  out  of  place  here. 
First  Sergeant  James  H.  Vannatta  was  a  capable  non 
commissioned  officer,  calm  and  discriminating,  and  free 
from  any  suspicion  of  partiality  or  unfairness.  At  the 
beginning  of  the  war  he  was  connected  in  a  clerical 
capacity  with  the  Chicago  Police  force. 

One  of  the  most  important  factors  in  the  well-being 
of  a  military  organization  is  the  "mess."  Napoleon 


3I2 


HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 


has  said,  "An  army  moves  upon  its  stomach."  He 
attributed  much  of  his  success  to  his  careful  attention  to 
the  commissariat.  In  skillful  hands  much  can  be  done ; 
and  Quartermaster-Sergeant  John  Bywater,  of  Com 
pany  E,  with  his  genial  smile  and  captivating  manners, 


BOXING  CLUB. 

could  almost  make  a  hungry  soldier  fancy  he  was  suf 
fering  from  gout.  "Little  Johnny,"  as  the  boys  called 
him,  was  a  genius  in  the  way  of  smoothing  over  diffi 
culties  and  throwing  oil  on  troubled  waters. 

The  Company  Clerk,  Corporal  William  H.  Wilder, 
was  another  instance  of  "the  right  man  in  the  right 
place."  Accommodating  and  efficient,  his  work  was 
always  accurate  and  up  to  date,  errors  being  unknown 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  313 

in  his  department.  The  Corporal  is  an  Englishman 
by  birth,  a  veteran  of  the  Egyptian  Campaign  of  1884, 
'85,  and  '86,  a  thorough  soldier,  and,  while  true  to  the 
new  land,  never  forgot  the  old. 

Nicholas  Groetzinger  was  another  member  of  the 
company  who  was  a  favorite  with  his  associates.  He  is 
a  native  of  Chilton,  Wis.,  and  left  a  well-established 
and  lucrative  monumental  marble  business  in  Paxton, 
111.,  to  follow  the  starry  flag. 

In  July,  1898,  over  the  signature  of  "Mickey  Free, 
Company  E,  Second  Illinois,"  there  appeared  in  the 
Times-Union  and  Citizen,  of  Jacksonville,  in  the  form 
of  a  clever  little  humorous  poem  addressed  to  General 
Burt,  commanding  the  First  Brigade,  a  plea  for  the 
discontinuance  of  afternoon  drill  on  account  of  the 
excessive  heat.  A  careful  search  failed  to  reveal  such 
a  name  in  the  regimental  roster,  but  closer  inquiry 
established  the  guilt  of  Eugene  J.  Kennelly,  of  Com 
pany  E,  who,  when  cornered,  threw  up  both  hands  and 
"acknowledged  the  corn."  General  Burt  sent  for  the 
modest  poet,  and  complimented  him  upon  his  witty 
effusion,  and  a  few  days  after,  to  the  great  delight  of 
the  boys,  the  objectionable  drills  were  suspended.  Pri 
vate  Kennelly  served  eight  years  in  the  Seventh  Cavalry, 
and  shared  in  the  hardships  and  perils  of  that  gallant 
corps  during  its  career  on  the  plains  of  the  Northwest. 
He  is  a  Bostonian,  and  possesses  the  culture  and  refine 
ment  of  the  modern  Athens,  besides  being  a  good  sol 
dier  and  a  genial  comrade.  Here  is  the  poem  : 

Arrah,  gineral,  dear,  a  volunteer 

From  the  distant  Prairie  State, 
Begs  your  attention  while  he  does  mention 

The  troubles  that  on  him  wait. 


3H          HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

He  knows  right  well,  for  he  oft  heard  tell, 

From  the  black  boys  clad  in  blue, 
That  you  were  ever  a  friend  who  would  always  lend 

Your  ear  to  a  tale,  if  true. 

He  also  knows,  for  history  shows, 

That  your  post  was  the  firing  line, 
And  where  there  was  death  you  were  ever  met 

In  the  front,  with  Old  Glory  flyin'. 
In  war  or  in  peace,  may  you  never  cease 

To  add  to  your  life's  bright  story; 
And  when  taps  have  been  blown  and  your  spirit  flown. 

May  it  be  to  the  home  in  glory. 

I've  somewhere  read,  and  I  oft  heard  said, 

That  the  braver  the  soldier  the  kinder  ; 
That  he's  always  on  hand,  and  needs  no  command, 

No  protest,  hint,  or  reminder, 
To  remove  all  cause,  be  it  custom  or  laws, 

That  would  make  the  humblest  suffer, 
Whether  from  drills  or  pills,  or  the  thousand  ills 

In  the  stock  of  the  non-com,  duffer. 

If  this  be  so,  then,  gineral,  I  know 

That  we've  got  but  to  state  our  case, 
And  the  saddest  lad  in  the  awkward  squad 

Will  have  sunshine  in  his  face. 
It's  as  hot  as  h ,  that  you  know  quite  well, 

So  please  bow  to  Heaven's  high  will ; 
And  a  recruit's  prayer  you  shall  ever  share, 

When  you  order,  "Cease  afternoon  drill." 

Ralph  S.  Tankersley,  a  fine  violinist,  and  a  member 
of  one  of  Chicago's  best  orchestras,  was  an  unaffectedly 
good  fellow,  and  always  ready  to  keep  the  boys  alive 
with  the  cheery  strains  of  his  faithful  fiddle. 

In  the  person  of  Maurice  O'Connor,  Company  E  pos 
sessed  the  tallest  man  in  the  regiment,  a  fine  specimen 
of  manhood,  with  a  heart  as  large  as  his  person. 
O'Connor  was  discharged  at  Jacksonville  at  the  request 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  315 

of  political  friends,  to  the  regret  of  both  himself  and  his 
comrades. 

Another  of  the  boys  who  endeared  himself  to  the 
company  by  his  good  nature  and  generosity  was  John 
B.  Walsh,  son  of  Michael  P.  Walsh,  of  Milwaukee.  He 
had  for  some  years  represented  the  wholesale  tobacco 
house  of  Leggett  and  Myers,  and  was  a  most  successful 
salesman. 

Taken  all  in  all,  Company  E  was  composed  of  an 
excellent  type  of  young  men,  ready  and  willing  to  do  all 
and  dare  all  in  the  cause  of  their  country ;  and  it  is  safe 
to  predict  that  none  of  its  members  will  ever  be  guilty 
of  any  act  calculated  to  cast  discredit  on  the  regiment 
all  so  faithfully  served  and  so  dearly  loved. 

ROSTER    OF    COMPANY    E. 
Mustered  into  service  May  16,  1898,  at  Springfield,  Illinois. 

OFFICERS. 

HENRY  NUSSBAUMER,  Captain. — Mustered  into  service  May  16, 

1898. 
JOHN  E.  VANNATTA,  First  Lieutenant. — Mustered  into  service 

May  1 6,  1898. 
EDWARD  H.  TITUS,  Second  Lieutenant. — Mustered  into  service 

May  16,  1898. — Detailed  Acting  Adjutant  Second  Battalion 

Nov.  3,  1898. 

JAMES  H.  VANNATTA,  First  Sergeant. 
JOHN  M.  BYWATER,  Q.  M.  Sergeant. 
CHAS.  F.  ERNST,  Sergeant. 
CHAS.  L.  USTED,  Sergeant. 
OLIVER  N.  GOLDSMITH,  Sergeant. 
HORACE  S.  CLARK,  Sergeant. 

WM.  P.  WILDER,  Corporal. — Promoted  July  26,  1898. 
FRED  E.  TANKERSLEY,  Corporal. — Promoted  July  26,  1898. 
GEORGE  F.  EMERY,  Corporal. 
JOHN  R.  SCHULTZ,  Corporal. 
MAXIMILLIAN  L.  KIRCH  MAN,  Corporal. 


316 


HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 


WM.  E.  BRIGGS,  Corporal. — Detailed  Acting  Color  Sergeant 
Oct.  6,  1898.— Detailed  Color  Bearer  Nov.  15,  1898.— Re 
turned  to  company  duty  Dec.  29,  1898,  to  go  with  com 
pany  to  Cienfuegos. 

GILRERT  H.  RICKETTS,  Corporal. 

GEORGE  E.  DYSON,  Corporal.— Discharged  Nov.  16,  1898.— Pro 
moted  July  26,  1898. 

CHRISTIAN  L.  CRAMER,  Corporal. — Promoted  July  26,  1898. 

CHARLES  I.  SINGER,  Corporal. — Promoted  Sept.  2,  1898. — Dis 
charged  March  4,  1899. 

FRED  SELZER,  Corporal. — Promoted  Sept.  27,  1898. — Discharged 
Jan.  7,  i899. 

FRANK  A.  PADDOCK,  Corporal.— Promoted  Sept.  2,  1898.— Dis 
charged  Sept.  14,  1898. 

BRADLEY  P.  DUNNING,  Artificer. — Discharged  Nov.  8.  1898. 

JESSE  E.  DANIELS,  Musician,  formerly  of  Company  B,  trans 
ferred  Jan.  23,  1899. 

JOHN  A.  F.  SPERLING,  Wagoner. 

PRIVATES. 


ANDREWS,  BURT  S. 

Discharged  Jan.  n,  1899. 
ANDERSON,  PETER. 
BARTELS,  HERMAN. 
BARTELS,  CHARLES. 
BRICKIE,  FRED. 
BENNETT,  HERBERT  M. 
BEHME,  OTTO  H. 
BAUM,  Louis. 
BENNING,  EDMOND  J. 
BERENSEN,  BERNHARD. 
CONNELLY,  JOHN. 

Discharged  July  22,  1898. 
CARTIER,  JOHN  P. 
COURTNEY,  MYLES  E. 

Detailed  at  Corporal  H.  Q. 

Sept.  8,  1898. 
DOMBROWSKI,  CHAS.  E. 
DRUM  MONO,  JOHN  S. 
DEWITT,  FRED  D. 


ELKINHOUS,  EDWARD  G. 
EARL,  ROBERT  A. 

Discharged  Nov.  10,  1898. 
FIELD,  WILLIAM  E. 
FONTER,  PAUL  B. 
FOOTE,  CHARLES  H. 
FRAZINSKY,  JACOB. 
FLORENCE,  ALEXANDER. 
FORD,  ROBERT  H. 
GROETZINGER,  NICHOLAS. 
HALVORSEN,  GEORGE  A. 
HOYSTADT,  EDWARD. 

Discharged  Oct.  13,   1898. 
HARTUNG,  Louis  A. 
HADKA,  JOSEPH. 
HURSEY,  PHILIP  A. 
HAMMERSCHLAG,  HENRY. 

Discharged  March  3,  1899. 
IVORSEN,  OSCAR  A. 
JACOBS,  JOSEPH. 


3i8 


HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 


JOYCE,  EDWARD  W. 
JELINEK,  AUGUST  F. 
JOHNSTON,  WM.  A. 
JENSEN,  EMIL. 
KEFFERLY,  Louis. 
KOCK,  HERMAN. 
KLICKA,  JOSEPH. 
KNUDSON,  JOSEPH. 
KOTECK,  WILLIAM. 
KALLENDER,  JOHN  A. 

Promoted    to   the   work   of 

Artificer  March  10,  1899. 
KENNELLY,  EUGENE  J. 
LAWTON,  GEORGE  A. 

Discharged  Jan.  16,  1899. 
LUCAS,  CHARLES  E. 
LARSON,  HARRY  P. 

Discharged  July  12,  1898. 
LIN  KEY,  HARRY. 

Discharged  July  13,  1898. 
LEWIS,  WILLIAM  K. 

Discharged  Aug.  12,  1898. 
MCDONALD,  EDWARD  J. 

McDERMOTT,   WM.    J. 

McDoNOUGH,  JAMES. 
MCGAHAN,  CHAS.  H. 

Discharged  Oct.  3,  1898. 
MAILLAND,  JESSE  S. 

Discharged  Dec.  I,  1898. 


MURDOCK,  FRED  H. 
NEUBERGER,  Louis. 
NOVAK,  ALBERT. 
PARSONS,  HAROLD  W. 

Discharged  Oct.  n,  1898. 
PIERCE,  CLARENCE  S. 
RAWSON,  HARRY. 
RYAN,  WILLIAM  P. 
ROBINSON,  CLYDE  M. 
RICHARDS,  THOMAS  E. 

Discharged  Sept.  9,  1898. 
SHUTT,  CHARLES  M. 
SMOLA,  EDWARD. 

Discharged  Feb.  13,  1899. 
SCHRADER,  CHARLES  H. 

SlEVERSON,    SlGUARD. 

SEIG,  HERMAN  F.  E. 
SPERLING,  FRED  W. 
SCHMIDT,  CHARLES  A. 
SHEEHAN,  JOHN  J. 
TAYLOR,  HARVEY  E. 
TANKERSLEY,  RALPH  S. 

Discharged  Oct.  18,  1898. 
WARMBOLD,  HARRY  E. 

Discharged  Oct.  15,  1898. 
WILSON,  CHARLES  S. 
WALSH,  JOHN  B. 
WALLACE,  MELVILLE. 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

COMPANY    F. 

CAPTAIN  JAMES   HOWARD   STANSFIELD. 

James  Howard  Stansfield  was  born  near  Bridgeport, 
Lawrence  county,  Illinois,  October  25,  1866. 

At  the  age  of  six  years  he  moved,  with  his  parents, 
to  Clay  county,  Illinois,  where  his  early  boyhood  and 
youth  were  spent  on  the  farm.  During  the  winter 
months,  when  the  duties  incident  to  farm  life  did  not 
require  his  attention,  he  availed  himself  of  the  oppor 
tunity  to  secure  an  education  by  attending  the  district 
school  in  the  vicinity  of  his  home. 

His  eager  thirst  for  knowledge  soon  placed  him  at 
the  head  of  his  classes,  and  led  him  to  seek  higher  edu 
cational  advantages.  He  entered  the  high  school  at 
Mt.Carmel,  Illinois,  but  afterward  completed  his  high 
school  studies  at  Shelbyville,  Illinois,  graduating  with 
highest  honors  in  the  class  of  1890. 

He  immediately  entered  the  law  office  of  Hon.  H.  J. 
Hamlin,  as  a  student;  and,  during  the  year  following 
his  graduation  studied  law  and  taught  school,  but,  find 
ing  teaching  not  to  his  liking,  as  a  profession,  he  gave 
it  up,  and  went  to  Chicago,  where  he  secured  a  position 
in  the  real  estate  office  of  W.  P.  Butler.  At  the  same 
time  he  entered  the  law  department  of  the  Lake  Forest 
University,  and  by  working  through  the  day,  and 
studying  at  night,  he  was  able  to  support  himself  and 
complete  his  course  in  law. 

319 


LIEUT.  B.  J.  BURNES.    CAPT.  J.  H.  STANSFIELD.    LIEUT.  A.  D.  REHM. 

320 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  321 

He  was  graduated  from  the  law  department  of  Lake 
Forest  University  and  was  admitted  to  the  Illinois  bar, 
in  June,  1894.  In  1897  he  opened  an  office  for  himself 
in  the  Unity  building,  where  he  continued  the  practice 
of  his  profession,  with  growing  success,  up  to  the  break 
ing  out  of  the  Spanish- American  war. 

He  was  among  the  first  to  respond  to  the  call  of  his 
country,  entering  the  service  as  Captain  of  his  company. 

His  military  career  began  in  1891,  when  he  enlisted 
as  private  in  Company  F,  Second  Reg.  I.  N.  G.  He 
was  soon  promoted  to  Corporal,  and  in  a  short  time 
afterward  was  promoted  to  Sergeant. 

In  May,  1893,  he  was  elected  Second  Lieutenant  of 
his  company.  In  this  capacity  he  served  during  the 
great  labor  strikes  on  the  Drainage  Canal,  in  1893,  tak 
ing  an  active  part  in  suppressing  riots  and  protecting 
the  property  and  interests  of  the  Government  and 
citizens. 

Shortly  afterward  he  was  elected  First  Lieutenant, 
and  in  May,  1896,  was  elected  Captain  of  his  company, 
which  office  he  filled  with  credit  to  himself  and  country 
up  to  the  date  of  mustering-out  of  service  the  Second 
Regiment,  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry. 

Captain  Stansfield  is  a  man  of  sterling  worth,  and 
integrity,  true  in  character,  strict  in  military  discipline, 
resolute  in  performing  duty,  and  fearless  in  upholding 
right  and  justice.  He  is  the  idol  of  his  men,  and  by 
his  gentlemanly  conduct  and  true  military  bearing, 
he  has  won  the  confidence  and  esteem  of  the  officers 
and  men  of  the  regiment. 

On  the  3d  day  of  October,  1898,  the  men  of  his  com 
pany  presented  him  with  a  beautiful  gold-plated  sword 
and  belt,  as  a  token  of  esteem  and  love,  and  to  show 


332          HISTORY    OF   THE   SECOND    REGIMENT 

their  appreciation  for  the  kindly  interest  and  untiring 
efforts  he  made  in  their  behalf,  during-  their  time  of 
service  in  the  field. 

He  returns  to  civil  life  with  a  clean  military  record, 
and  the  respect  and  best  wishes  of  his  men,  and  the 
officers  and  men  of  the  regiment. 

BERNARD    J.    BURNES. 

Bernard  J.  Burnes  was  born  in  Aurora,  111.,  July  5, 
1870.  He  was  educated  in  Elizabeth  school,  in  Chi 
cago,  111.,  and  was  married  on  January  19,  1898,  to 
Miss  E.  L.  Kievlan.  He  is  by  profession  a  shipping 
clerk. 

He  enlisted  in  the  National  Guard  as  private  in  1886, 
was  appointed  Quartermaster-Sergeant  June,  1892, 
First  Sergeant  in  September,  1892,  Second  Lieutenant 
in  1896,  and  First  Lieutenant  in  1898,  which  office  he 
held  at  the  time  of  being  mustered  into  the  service.  He 
had  a  protracted  sickness  while  in  Jacksonville,  and 
but  for  the  best  of  care  would  never  have  seen  Cuba. 
But,  endowed  with  an  indomitable  will,  he  got  out  of 
bed  and  followed  his  regiment  to  Savannah,  and  accom 
panied  his  company  to  Cuba.  He  was  put  on  duty  soon 
after  reaching  the  city  of  Havana,  and  continued  with 
his  company  until  they  were  mustered  out  of  service 
in  Augusta,  Ga.  He  fully  regained  his  health,  and 
returns  to  civil  life  hale  and  hearty. 

LIEUTENANT    ARTHUR    D.    REHM. 
Lieutenant  Rehm  was  born  on  the  West  Side,  Chi 
cago,  January  10,  1870.     He  was  educated  in  the  Chi 
cago  public  and  high  schools  and  the  Cook  County 
Normal  School.     He  served  continuously  in  the  Second 


*• •«* 


<«>..••    v 


323 


324          HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

Infantry  I.  N.  G.  from  1886  up  to  the  beginning  of  the 
Spanish-American  war.  In  1890  he  had  charge  of  the 
field-music  of  the  regiment,  and  later  was  transferred 
to  Company  F,  and  served  through  the  successive  non 
commissioned  grades.  He  was  elected  Second  Lieu 
tenant  in  January,  1898,  and  was  mustered  into  the 
Volunteer  service  as  such,  May  16,  1898. 

In  civil  life  Lieutenant  Rehm  engaged  in  the  real 
estate  and  fire  insurance  business  with  his  father,  who 
was  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Chicago,  and  who  died 
in  November,  1898.  After  his  father's  death,  the  Lieu 
tenant,  being  acquainted  with  the  details  of  the  business, 
returned  to  Chicago  to  straighten  out  his  father's 
affairs,  but  rejoined  his  company  at  Augusta,  Ga.,  in 
time  for  muster-out. 

Lieutenant  Rehm  is  married,  and  is  the  father  of  one 
child,  a  girl.  He  is  an  able  and  popular  officer,  and 
much  beloved  by  the  members  of  his  company. 

COMPANY    HISTORY. 

Company  F  is  one  of  the  oldest  companies  of  the 
Second  Illinois  National  Guard.  It  has  had  a  check 
ered  experience,  but  has  always  been  loyal  to  the  regi 
ment,  and  ready  for  duty.  At  the  call  of  President 
McKinley  the  company  mustered  into  service  with 
eighty-four  men,  officered  by  Jas.  H.  Stansfield,  Cap 
tain,  and  Bernard  J.  Burnes  and  Arthur  D.  Rehm, 
Lieutenants,  with  a  good  and  efficient  staff  of  non-com 
missioned  officers.  During  its  service,  Captain  Stans 
field  and  his  company  have  been  called  upon  for  special 
and  important  services,  and  have  never  been  found 
wanting. 

On  May  30,  1898,  the  company  marched  with  the 


325 


HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

regiment  to  the  public  park  in  Jacksonville,  where  a 
monument  was  dedicated  to  the  Confederate  dead. 

This  was  their  first  long"  march  under  a  Southern 
sun ;  there  they  stood  at  attention  for  a  long  time  and 
then  returned  to  camp  in  an  exhausted  condition. 

Immediately  after  their  arrival  "mess  call"  was 
sounded  and  the  company  sat  down  to  eat  heartily  of 
canned  meat  that  had  been  shipped  from  Chicago  to 
Tampa  and  back  to  Jacksonville.  Before  2  o'clock  the 
next  morning  every  man  in  the  company  except  three 
was  very  sick  with  cholera  morbus ;  vomiting  and  purg 
ing  continued  until  morning.  The  majority  of  the  com 
pany  rallied  quickly;  but  the  seeds  had  been  sown, 
which  resulted  in  a  harvest  of  sickness  and  death,  and  so 
depleted  the  ranks  of  the  company  that  at  one  time 
more  than  one-third  of  a  total  of  eighty-four  men  were 
sick  in  hospital  or  in  quarters. 

This  sudden  and  violent  attack  attracted  the  atten 
tion  of  the  medical  officers  of  the  entire  corps ;  and  after 
a  very  thorough  inspection  of  quarters,  and  an  examina 
tion  of  the  beef,  the  surgeons  discovered  that  the  meat 
had  been  improperly  cured.  Some  of  the  men  never 
rallied  from  this  attack,  but  sank  into  the  deadly  typhoid 
fever,  so  prevalent  in  and  around  Jacksonville  at  that 
time;  others  seemingly  recovered,  but  the  poison  had 
entered  the  system,  leaving  them  in  a  weakened  condi 
tion,  and  unable  to  resist  the  attacks  of  disease,  and  one 
by  one,  sooner  or  later,  nearly  all  of  the  company  were 
brought  low  by  the  fever.  The  men  were  not  impressed 
with  the  danger  surrounding  them  until,  on  July  4th, 
Private  Frank  J.  Riley  died  at  the  second  division  hospi 
tal.  This  was  the  first  death  in  the  regiment  after  leav 
ing  Springfield ;  and  men  looked  at  each  other  to  realize 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER   INFANTRY  327 

that  they  were  in  actual  service  in  the  army  of  the 
United  States,  and  were  getting  a  foretaste  of  what  war 
meant.  Private  Riley  was  buried  in  St.  Mary's  Ceme 
tery  at  Jacksonville.  The  services  were  very  impres 
sive  and  beautiful.  The  body  was  escorted  to  the  grave 
in  a  casket  covered  by  the  stars  and  stripes,  for  which 
he  had  sacrificed  his  life.  Nearly  the  whole  strength 
of  Company  F  formed  the  escort,  including  a  firing 
squad  of  eight  men  in  charge  of  a  non-commissioned 
officer.  A  farewell  salute  was  fired  over  the  grave  of 
their  dead  comrade,  and  the  company  returned.  Next 
came  the  death  of  Private  Henry  Bramen,  who  sealed 
his  devotion  to  his  country  with  his  life  July  I2th,  fol 
lowed  in  quick  succession  by  Corporal  George  A.  Jack 
son,  who  died  on  July  I4th.  The  bodies  of  both  Bramen 
and  Jackson  were  sent  to  their  homes  in  Chicago.  The 
boys  of  the  company  regarding  as  sacred  the  right  to 
defray  all  the  expenses  of  caskets,  flowers,  and  trans 
portation.  As  a  realization  of  the  danger  which  sur 
rounded  them  came  upon  the  men  a  sense  of  deep 
depression  fell  upon  all ;  and  night  after  night  the 
boys  folded  their  blankets  about  them  and  lay  down 
upon  the  ground  with  the  full  knowledge  that  disease 
permeated  the  hot,  sandy  soil  upon  which  they  laid,  and 
that  danger  surrounded  them  on  all  sides.  On  all  sides 
the  hushed  query  was  heard,  "Who  will  be  next?" 

Those  who  know  the  personel  of  Company  F,  have 
never  doubted  the  physical  courage  of  the  men.  In 
deed,  the  physical  courage  of  the  boys  of  the  company 
has,  at  times,  been  so  much  in  evidence  that  they  earned 
the  appropriate  title  of  "Tough  F."  But  it  is  one  thing 
to  spring  to  duty  at  a  country's  call,  regardless  of  Span 
ish  bullets  and  Spanish  steel,  and  quite  another  to  know 


32  HISTORY    OF    THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

that  an  enemy,  invisible,  silent,  and  relentless,  is  about 
you,  and  to  feel  your  own  helplessness  to  cope  with 
him.  We  witnessed  the  results  of  this  terrible  power  in 
the  death  of  comrades  for  a  long  time. 

On  August  5th,  Captain  Stansfield  was  ordered  to 
proceed  with  his  company  to  Pablo  Beach,  a  bathing 
resort,  situated  on  the  Atlantic  Coast  about  eighteen 
miles  from  Jacksonville.  Arriving  at  the  beach,  after 
pitching  camp,  Captain  Stansfield's  first  care  was  to 
place  not  only  the  camp  but  also  the  entire  village  in 
the  highest  possible  sanitary  condition;  and  soon  the 
place  began  to  assume  a  different  aspect  than  that  worn 
before  the  company  came.  Following  Company  F  at 
short  intervals,  came  Company  K  of  the  Fourth  Vir 
ginia  Regiment,  and  Company  F  of  the  First  Wiscon 
sin,  and  Captain  Stansfield  being  senior  captain,  took 
command  of  the  entire  detachment  and  was  not  only  the 
commandant  of  the  post,  but  was  also  christened  by  the 
villagers  "The  first  mayor  of  Pablo  Beach."  On  Sun 
days  the  beach  was  thronged  with  soldiers  from  the 
main  camp  at  Jacksonville,  and  as  the  crowds  increased 
it  became  no  easy  matter  to  maintain  order.  But 
through  all  the  trying  circumstances  Captain  Stansfield 
preserved  the  strictest  order,  not  one  event  occurring  to 
break  the  peace,  while  the  company  was  stationed  there. 
The  tour  of  duty  at  the  beach  was  to  be  one  week ;  but 
when  the  company  began  making  preparations  to  return 
to  the  regiment,  the  citizens  petitioned  General  Lee  to 
have  the  company  with  them  for  a  longer  period,  and 
thus  the  tour  of  duty  was  twice  extended,  and  the  com 
pany  finally  left  Pablo  Beach  to  rejoin  the  regiment 
amid  the  regrets  and  commendations  of  the  villagers. 
While  at  Pablo  Beach  the  ocean  breezes  proved  ex- 


tfr 


329 


33°          HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

tremely  beneficial  to  the  health  of  the  men,  which 
was  in  nearly  every  case  completely  restored,  the  men 
gaining  from  five  to  fifteen  pounds  in  weight,  and  were 
much  complimented  on  their  appearance  upon  their 
return  to  camp.  Colonel  Moulton  said,  when  the 
company  reported  to  him  upon  its  return  to  camp,  that 
he  was  extremely  proud  of  the  company,  which  had 
proved  a  credit  to  itself  and  the  regiment. 

Company  F  was  one  of  the  four  which  went  with 
Major  Dusenberry  to  Cienfuegos,  and  was  from  time 
to  time  detailed  for  special  duty.  It  also  furnished 
many  men  for  important  details  in  the  regiment,  bri 
gade,  division,  and  corps.  On  November  8th  Sergeant 
Kienser  was  promoted  to  the  rank  oi  regimental  ser 
geant-major.  The  comrades  are  all  proud  of  their  com 
pany  sergeant.  They  say  he  is  an  up-to-date  officer, 
and  won  his  way  to  his  position  by  hard,  conscientious 
work,  and  a  uniform  kindness  and  courtesy  to  all  with 
whom  he  had  dealings. 

Shortly  after  going  to  Jacksonville,  Private  Linder 
Wilkinson  was  detailed  from  the  company  as  orderly 
to  General  Fitzhugh  Lee,  the  corps  commander,  which 
position  he  filled  until  mustered  out  with  the  regi 
ment.  Others  detailed  were  Privates  Bregstone  and 
Pratt  to  division  headquarters,  Privates  Golden  and 
Komey  to  corp's  postoffice  at  Havana  P.O.,  and  Private 
Brandt-as  cook  to  General  Lee. 

ROSTER    OF    COMPANY    F. 
OFFICERS. 

JAMES  H.  STANSFIELD,  Captain. 
BERNARD  J.  BURNES,  First  Lieutenant. 
ARTHUR  D.  REHM,  Second  Lieutenant. 
ALBERT  J.  HARKINS,  First  Sergeant. 


33 i 


332          HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

PHILLIP  H.  GARRARD,  Q.  M.  Sergeant. 

GEO.  M.  KIEVLAN,  Sergeant. 

JOHN  F.  MCCARTHY,  Sergeant. 

ALFRED  J.  BROWN,  Sergeant. 

RICHARD  T.  B.  EDDY,  Sergeant. 

WM.  J.  GRIFFIN,  Sergeant.— Discharged  Oct.  22,  1898. 

JOSEPH  R.  KRUESER,  Sergeant. — Promoted  to  Regimental  Ser 
geant-Major,  Nov.  14,  1898. 

WM.  E.  KAVANAUGH,  Corporal. 

JOHN  KELLIHER,  Corporal. 

PETER  A.  NELSON,  Corporal. 

CHRIS  RAYNOR,  Corporal. 

CHARLES  J.  MITCHELL,  Corporal. 

FRANK  PIANTKOWSKI,  Corporal. 

WM.  E.  WICHMAN,  Corporal. 

Louis  PIANNKUCHE,  Corporal. 

ALEXANDER  L.  MASON,  Corporal. 

THOMAS  J.  SHANNON,  Corporal. 

Louis  R.  MCDONALD,  Corporal. 

DAVID  WHITE,  Corporal. 

ALBERT  M.  ELDRIDGE,  Corporal.- — Discharged  Dec.  22,  1898. 

GEO.  A.  JACKSON,  Corporal.— Died  at  Jacksonville,  Fla.,  July 
15,  1898,  of  typhoid  fever. 

B.  K.  HOWARD,  Corporal. — Transferred  to  I3th  Company,  U. 
S.  V.  Signal  Corps,  March  2,  1899. 

JOSEPH  O.  BYRNES,  Musician. 

ANTHONY  GALLAGHER,  Musician. 

JOHN  B.  KIEVLAN,  Artificer. 

ALBERT  WAGNER,  Wagoner. 

PRIVATES. 

ADAMS,  JAMES  E.  BRAMAN,  HENRY  F. 

AARON,  THEODORE.  Died   at   Jacksonville,    Fla., 

Discharged  Sept.  22,  1898.  July    12,    1898,    of    typhoid 

BELL,  FRANK  A.  fever. 

BELL,  JOHN  A.  BRANDT,  CHARLES. 

Discharged  Feb.  7,  1899.  BUEXTON,  CHARLES. 

BOSTLER,  HENRY.  BURNETT,  ELMER  W. 

Discharged  March  6,  1899.        Discharged  Sept.  19,  1898. 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY 


333 


CATLIN,  JOHN. 

COLEMAN,  HENRY. 

CRANSTON,  MORRIS. 
Discharged  Nov.  19,  1898. 

DUGGAN,  WILLIAM  T. 

DURIGAN,  JAMES  S. 
Discharged  Sept.  i,  1898. 

ELTER,  GUST. 

ENDERLE,  WILLIAM  J. 

ERIKSON,  PETER. 

EWING,  HARRY  J. 

FITCH,  EDWIN  M. 
Discharged  Jan.  17,  1899. 

FLAGG,  FRED  E. 

FRYMIRE,  AVA  C. 
Discharged  Nov.  5,  1898. 

GARRARD,  FRANK. 

GETTLE,  JAMES. 

GOLDEN,  GEORGE  E. 

GOSTOMSKI,  FRANK. 
Discharged  Oct.  22,  1898. 

GRIFFIN,  FRANK  J. 
Transferred  to  U.   S.  Hos 
pital  Corps  June  14,  1898. 

GRIFFIN,  WILLIAM  J. 
Discharged  Oct.  22,  1898. 

GRAFFE,  GEORGE  W. 

HOLM,  FRANK. 

HOFMEISTER,  MAX  R. 

HANSON,  ELMER  B. 

HANSON,  OSCAR. 

HANSEN,  OLIVER  I. 

HUGHES,  FRANK. 

HILT,  WARREN  P. 
Transferred  to  Co.  C,  Sec 
ond  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  June  22, 
1898. 

HOWARD,  H.  J. 
Transferred  to  U.  S.  Hos 
pital  Corps  Sept.  21,  1898. 


HERRING,  A.  C. 

Discharged  Nov.  28,   1898. 
JENISSON,  JAMES  M. 
KERR,  WILSON  D. 
KELLY,  FRANK  H. 
KOMIE,  JOHN. 
KAVANAUGH,  CHARLES  P. 
KEEGAN,  CHARLES. 

Discharged  Oct.  22,  1898. 
LACY,  JAMES. 
LOFTUS,  JOHN  P. 

LlCHTENBERGER,    FRED    O. 
LlNDER,    HOBART    O. 

Discharged  Nov.  28,  1898. 

McAuLEY,  PATRICK  H. 

MCMULLEN,  GEORGE  M. 

MINTON,  GUY  M. 

MURPHY,  THOMAS  J 

MOHYDE,  LARRY. 

MITCHELL,  W.  A. 

Transferred  to  U.   S.   Hos 
pital  Corps  June  14,  1898. 

MAST,  CHARLES  M. 
Discharged  Aug.  5,  1898. 

NELSON,  JOHN. 

NELSON,  THEODORE. 

OLSEN,  LEONARD. 

ORTMANN,  WILLIAM. 
Discharged  Sept.  i,  1898. 

OHLEY,  JOHN. 

Discharged  March  6,  1899. 

PEARSON,  WILLIAM  T. 

PALMS,  FRED  A. 

PEAR,  JOSEPH. 

PRATT,  HOWARD  E. 

PURSELL,  LEROY. 
Discharged  Nov.  28,  1898. 

POST,  CHESTER  D. 
Discharged  Jan.  6,  1899. 

RYAN,  WILLIAM. 


334          HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

ROCHE,  CHARLES.  STOLL,  HARRY  J. 

RASMUSSEN,  HENRY.  Transferred  to  Regt.   Hos- 

RILEY,  FRANCIS  J.  pital  Corps,  June  13,  1898. 

Died   at   Jacksonville,    Fla.,  THOLEN,  FRED. 

July     4,    1898,    of    typhoid  THOMPSON,  JOHN. 

pneumonia.  TUOHY,  STEPHEN  ±*. 

SCOLLARD,  WILLIAM  G.  WALKER,  THOMAS  A. 

SCHAUBLIN,  DANIEL.  WEAVER,  FRANK  E. 

STICKLE,  HENRY  W.  WOLD,  Louis. 

WILKINSON,  LINDER. 


CHAPTER  XXIV 

COMPANY    G 

CAPTAIN    WILLIS,  McFEELY 

Captain  McFeely,  who  is  a  native  of  Buda,  111.,  is 
an  old  member  of  the  Second  Illinois  National  Guard, 
having  joined  in  1885.  He  served  in  every  grade  up  to 
his  present  rank,  except  that  of  second  lieutenant.  He 
was  born  December  31,  1867,  and  was  educated  at  the 
High  School,  Tiskilwa,  Illinois,  and  married  Miss  Min 
nie  Smith,  by  whom  he  has  three  children.  He  is  by 
occupation  in  civil  life  a  traveling  salesman. 

Captain  McFeely  was  one  of  the  sufferers  from  the 
epidemic  of  typhoid  fever,  incurring  a  severe  attack  of 
that  disease.  Becoming  convalescent,  he  returned 
home  on  leave  of  absence,  at  the  close  of  which  he  was 
fortunately  able  to  rejoin  his  command  fully  recovered. 
While  on  duty  in  Jacksonville,  Captain  McFeely  was 
pleasantly  surprised  by  a  package  containing  a  very 
elegant  sword  from  the  firm  with  which  he  was  con 
nected  before  entering  the  service,  and  from  its  em 
ployes.  Accompanying  the  sword  was  a  letter 
addressed  to  Captain  McFeely  : 

"DEAR  CAPTAIN  :  Within  this  case  you  will  find  a 
sword,  which  we  expect  you  will  carry  in  the  service 
of  the  United  States  as  long  as  the  country  may  need 
your  services,  and  when  you  return  to  the  peaceful 
avocation  of  a  private  citizen  we  hope  the  sword  may 
be  a  pleasant  reminder  of  duties  faithfully  performed. 
"Nowadays  an  officer's  sword  is  little  more  than  an 

335 


HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

emblem  of  authority ;  but  we  trust  that  this  one  may  be 
to  you  in  addition  an  emblem  of  our  regard  for  you. 

"We  hope  that  amid  the  temptations  of  a  soldier's 
life  you  may  keep  your  morals  as  pure  and  clean  as  this 
polished  blade ;  that  your  eye  to  perceive  the  right  may 
be  as  sharp  as  its  point,  and  your  honor  as  bright  as  the 
gold. 

"If  you  can  do  this,  we  have  no  fear  for  your  future, 
either  in  peace  or  in  war,  for  men  love  a  leader  whom 
they  can  respect  and  honor,  and  when  they  have  such  an 
officer,  will  follow  him  even  into  the  jaws  of  death. 
May  you  never  draw  a  sword  in  any  but  an  honorable 
cause." 

The  sword  has  two  scabbards,  a  plain  service  scab 
bard  and  a  dress  scabbard,  handsomely  decorated  and 
trimmed  with  gold,  and  bears  the  inscription :  "Cap 
tain  Willis  McFeely,  Company  G,  Second  Illinois 
Volunteer  Infantry.  From  Chicago  friends." 

The  gift  is  highly  prized  by  Captain  McFeely,  coming 
as  it  did,  a  complete  surprise  to  him. 

FIRST   LIEUTENANT   JOHN    R.    MAYESKIE. 

Lieutenant  Mayeskie  was  born  at  Posen,  in  Germany, 
on  July  n,  1871,  but  when  one  year  old  came  to  Chi 
cago  with  his  parents.  He  was  educated  at  the  Walsh 
Public  School,  on  leaving  which  he  entered  upon  active 
life  as  a  law  clerk.  Enlisting  in  Company  G,  Second 
I.  N.  G.,  September  17,  1889,  and  filling  with  credit 
every  successive  grade  up  to  his  present  rank,  Lieuten 
ant  Mayeskie  is  able  to  point  with  pride  to  the  fact  that 
during  his  whole  period  of  service  in  the  National 
Guard,  he  never  was  absent  from  any  "turn  out"  of  his 
regiment,  seeing  active  service  with  the  organization  at 
Lemont,  111.,  during  the  race  riot  on  the  Drainage 
Canal,  and  again  for  thirty  days  during  the  railroad 
riots  at  the  Stock  Yards  in  1894. 


337 


33^          HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

Lieutenant  Mayeskie  commanded  Company  G  during 
the  absence  of  Captain  McFeely  on  account  of  sickness 
contracted  during  the  Spanish-American  campaign,  in 
Savannah  and  Cuba,  becoming  seriously  ill  himself  in 
Camp  Columbia. 

MILITARY    RECORD. 

Private,  Company  G,  Second  I.  N.  G.,  September  17, 
1889;  Corporal,  May,  1891;  Sergeant,  November  18, 
1891 ;  First  Sergeant,  January,  1895 ;  Second  Lieuten 
ant,  January  31,  1896;  First  Lieutenant,  July  15,  1897; 
First  Lieutenant,  Second  Illinois  Vol.  Infy.,  May  16, 
1898. 

SECOND  LIEUTENANT  JESSE  S.  GARWOOD. 

Born  November  28,  1873,  at  Lynnville,  Jasper 
County,  Iowa,  he  was  educated  at  Robinson  High 
School,  Robinson,  111.,  and  early  took  to  newspaper 
work,  being  a  journeyman  printer  at  seventeen.  In 
1891  he  went  as  a  candidate  from  the  Sixteenth  Illinois 
District  to  the  Naval  Academy,  but  was  unfortunate 
enough  to  fail  in  the  first  examination.  He  married, 
in  1894,  Miss  Clara  A.  Jensen,  of  Clintonville,  Wis.,  and 
has  three  children,  Elizabeth  M.,  Harold  L.,  and  Jesse  S. 

He  is  a  comrade  of  the  Army  and  Navy  Union,  and 
highly  prizes  the  decoration  of  that  society. 

Lieutenant  Garwood  saw  service  in  the  regular  army, 
and  in  1893  secured  the  sharpshooter's  cross,  while 
serving  in  the  Fifteenth  U.  S.  Infantry.  Being  trans 
ferred  to  the  U.  S.  Hospital  Corps,  he  continued  in  that 
department  until  discharged  in  1896,  when  he  joined 
the  Second  I.  N.  G.,  receiving  rapid  promotion,  and 
securing  the  sharpshooter's  medal  of  the  National 
Guard. 


339 


34°          HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

Lieutenant  Garwood  resides  in  Evanston,  111.,  and 
was,  until  the  beginning  of  the  war,  engaged  on  the 
Index  newspaper  of  that  city. 

MILITARY    RECORD. 

Private,  Fifteenth  U.  S.  Infy.,  January  20,  1893; 
Lance  Corporal,  October  3,  1893;  Private  U.  S.  Hospi 
tal  Corps,  January  15,  1894;  discharged,  April  19,  1896; 
Private,  Company  G,  Second  Infy.,  I.  N.  G.,  April  2, 
1896;  Corporal,  February  9,  1897;  Second  Lieutenant, 
July  15,  1897;  Second  Lieutenant,  Second  Illinois  Vol. 
Infy.,  May  16,  1898;  mustered  out  with  the  regiment 
at  Augusta,  Ga.,  April  26,  1899.  He  is  a  strict  dis 
ciplinarian  and  a  good  Spanish  scholar. 

COMPANY    HISTORY. 

Company  G  dates  back  to  1882,  in  which  year  it  was 
organized  as  the  University  Rifles,  being  recruited 
solely  from  students  of  the  old  Chicago  University,  who 
elected  Captain  Charles  Cook  as  their  first  company 
commander.  The  University  Rifles  were  mustered  into 
the  state  service  in  1883  as  Company  I,  Second 
Infantry,  Illinois  National  Guard.  In  1885  the  com 
pany  letter  was  changed  from  I  to  G.  Drawing  its 
existence  from  a  seat  of  learning,  this  company  has  con 
tinued  to  educate,  and  the  instruction  bestowed  has  been 
the  first  stepping  stone  to  many  an  efficient  officer  in 
the  National  Guard  and  Volunteer  service.  It  has  fur 
nished  more  officers  to  the- state  service  than  any  other 
company  in  the  regiment  during  the  same  period  of 
time.  The  following  is  a  list  of  members  of  the  com 
pany  who  received  commissions :  Colonel  Louis  S. 
Judd,  Second  Infantry ;  Captain  Charles  Cook,  Com- 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  341 

pany  G,  Second  Infantry ;  Captain  Harry  Beach,  Com 
pany  D,  Second  Infantry;  Captain  W.  T.  McMillan, 
Company  F,  Second  Infantry;  *Captain  Willis  Mc- 
Feely,  Company  G,  Second  Infantry;  Captain  H.  D. 
Crocker,  Company  F,  Second  Infantry ;  *Captain  Ben 
jamin  E.  Mendelsohn,  Company  G,  Second  Infantry ; 
Captain  George  C.  Gobet,  Adjutant,  Second  Infantry ; 
*Captain  Wallace  H.  Whigham,  Company  H,  First 
Infantry ;  *Captain  John  W.  McConnell,  Signal  Corps ; 
*Captain  Michael  E.  Cassidy,  Adjutant,  Seventh  Infan 
try  ;  ^Captain  Henry  Nussbaumer,  Company  E,  Second 
Infantry;  First  Lieutenant  J.  F.  Butler,  Company  G, 
Second  Infantry ;  *First  Lieutenant  John  R.  Mayeskie, 
Company  G,  Second  Infantry;  First  Lieutenant  C.  H. 
Gilbert,  Company  E,  Seventh  Infantry  ;  *First  Lieuten 
ant  John  E.  Vannatta,  Company  E,  Second  Infantry; 
*First  Lieutenant  Walter  H.  Durand,  Company  H, 
Second  Infantry ;  Second  Lieutenant  C.  B.  Hayes,  Com 
pany  G,  Second  Infantry ;  Second  Lieutenant  John  F. 
Sullivan,  Company  G,  Second  Infantry ;  *  Second 
Lieutenant  Jesse  S.  Gar  wood,  Company  G,  Second 
Infantry ;  *  Second  Lieutenant  Edward  H.  Titus,  Com 
pany  E,  Second  Infantry;  ^Second  Lieutenant  Harri 
son  S.  Kerrick,  Company  D,  Second  Infantry. 

The  company  has  an  excellent  record  as  to  efficiency, 
both  before  and  since  being  mustered  into  the  United 
States  Volunteer  service.  Captain  McFeely  is  an  old 
campaigner,  with  no  mean  record.  He  has  ever  been 
untiring  in  his  efforts  at  all  times  to  maintain  strict 
military  discipline,  and  his  efforts  were  rewarded  to  a 
gratifying  extent. 

Much  credit  for  the  maintenance  of  this  state  of 

*These  Officers  saw  service  in  the  Spanish  War. 


343  HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

efficiency  was  due  to  First  Sergeant  Francis  A.  Burke, 
a  veteran  of  the  regular  army,  who  had  seen  service  in 
Indian  wars. 

Sergeant  John  Leonard  distinguished  himself  in 
Cerro,  a  suburb  of  Havanna,  on  the  night  of  December 
27th,  clearing  a  street  under  fire  of  a  fighting  mob  of 
Cuban  and  Spanish  soldiers,  with  only  five  men  of  the 
Second  Illinois  Regiment.  In  this  fight  three  men  were 
killed.  A  teamster  of  the  Second  Illinois,  named  Brill, 
was  wounded.  Sergeant  Leonard  was  personally  com 
plimented  by  a  member  of  General  Lee's  staff,  who, 
in  his  report,  spoke  of  the  Sergeant's  conduct  in  high 
terms.  In  Jacksonville  Company  G  perfomed  provost 
duty,  and  was  complimented  for  efficient  work  by  the 
Provost  Marshal.  They  also  participated,  with  the 
Second  Battalion  of  the  Second  Illinois  Volunteer 
Infantry,  in  the  ceremonies  pertaining  to  the  raising  of 
the  American  flag  over  Cienfuegos,  Cuba,  and  in  the 
occupation  of  that'  city  by  American  troops  on  January 
i,  1899.  Captain  McFeely  being  at  this  time  sick  in 
Savannah,  the  company  was  commanded  by  First 
Lieutenant  John  R.  Mayeskie.  Lieutenant  Garwood 
had  the  honor  of  attaching  to  the  halyards  the  first 
American  flag  raised  over  the  city. 

ROSTER    OF    COMPANY    G. 

Mustered  into  service  May  16,  1898,  at  Springfield,  Illinois. 

OFFICERS. 

WILLIS  McFEELEY,  Captain. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. 
JOHN  R.  MAYESKIE,  First  Lieutenant. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. 
JESSE  S.  GARWOOD,  Second  Lieutenant. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. 
FRANCIS  A.  BURKE,  First  Sergeant. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. 
FRANK  WEST,  Q.   M.   Sergeant. — Mustered  May  16,    1898  as 

private. — Promoted  Corporal  July  12,  1898. — Promoted  Q. 

M.  Sergeant  Dec.  i,  1898. 


•«L:  :^-3? 
f{*:    <* 


343 


344          HISTORY    OF   THE   SECOND    REGIMENT 

JOSEPH  C.  LASER,  Sergeant. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. 

ALOIS  RYTLIK,  Sergeant. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. 

JOHN  LEONARD,  Sergeant. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. 

CHAS.  F.  O'CONNOR,  Sergeant. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. 

DETMER  A.  LASER,  Corporal. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. 

JAMES  D.   NICOLL,  Corporal. — Mustered  May  16,   1898. 

JAMES  JAMIESON,  Corporal. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. — Dis 
charged  Jan.  16,  1899. 

WM.  A.  GRAHAM,  Corporal. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. 

WALTER  S.  GREISBACH,  Corporal. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. 

GEORGE  A.  BURNHAM,  Corporal. — Mustered  as  Artificer  May 
16,  1898.— Promoted  July  12,  1898. 

FRED  ENGEL,  Corporal. — Mustered  as  Wagoner,  May  16,  1898. — 
Promoted  Dec.  i,  1898. 

WILLIAM  M.  CARRELL,  Corporal. — Mustered  as  private  May  16, 
1898.— Promoted  Dec.  i,  1898. 

JOSEPH  CARROLL,  Corporal. — Mustered  as  private  May  16,  1898. 
— Promoted  Jan.  25,  1899. 

WM.  F.  HAMPTON,  Corporal. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. — Pro 
moted  July  12,  1898. 

EMIL  R.  WENGER,  Corporal. — Mustered  as  private  May  16, 
1898. — Promoted  Jan.  20,  1899. 

HUGH  C.  YOUNG,  Corporal. — Mustered  as  private  May  16,  1898. 
— Promoted  July  12,  1898. — Discharged  Nov.  15,  1898. 

JOHN  F.  C.  MILLER,  Corporal. — Mustered  as  private  June  18, 
1898.— Promoted  Jan.  25,  1899. 

FRED  LUNDIN,  Artificer. — Mustered  as  private  May  16,  1898. — 
Promoted  July  12,  1898. 

JOHN  W.  COLBERG,  Wagoner. — Mustered  as  private  June  18, 
1898.— Promoted  Dec.  I,  1898. 

PRIVATES. 

BACHMAN,  RUDOLPH.  BROERS,  JOHN. 

BARMER,  FRANK.  Mustered  June  18,  1898. 

BARTLETT,  WALTER.  Discharged  Jan.  n,  1899. 

Mustered  June  18,  1898.  CLIMIE,  JOHN  S. 

BOWEN,  CLARENCE  W.  Mustered  June  17,  1898. 

Discharged  Aug.  24,  1893.  Discharged  Feb.  18,  1899. 
BROOKS,  CLARENCE  B. 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER   INFANTRY 


345 


BROWN,  EDWARD  J. 

Mustered  June  18,  1898. 
CHARVOT,  JOHN. 
COOPER,  ARTHUR  T. 

Died  Aug.  19,  1898,  at  Jack 
sonville,  Fla. 
CRICHTON,  GEORGE  H. 

Discharged  Jan.  IT,  1899. 
CRONIN,  WILLIAM  F.  H. 
EELS,  WILLIAM  H. 
ERP,  WILLIAM  R. 

Discharged  March  4,  1899. 
FARLEIGH,  RICHARD  W. 

Discharged  Aug.  20,  1898. 
FIND,  EDWARD  H. 

Mustered  June  18,  1898. 
FOSTER,  LEON  P. 

Mustered  June  17,  1898. 

Discharged  Nov.  i,  1898. 
Fox,  JOHN  J.  J. 
Fox,  PATRICK. 

Mustered  June  16.  1898. 
FREEMAN,  WALTER. 

Discharged  Sept.  7,  1898. 
FREYMARK,  REINOLD  G. 
GALLAGHER,  WILLIAM  H. 
GALOUGHLY,  JOHN. 
GEARY,  DAVID  J. 
GILLILAND,  JAMES  T. 
GOLDSMITH,  CHARLES  B. 
GORMAN,  EDWARD  P. 
GRAHAM,  ROBERT. 
HACKE,  GEORGE. 

Mustered  June  18,  1898. 

Discharged  Oct.  13,  1898. 
HAMPTON,  CHARLES  F. 
HANSEN,  CHARLES. 

Died  Sept.  19,  1898,  at  Jack 
sonville,  Fla. 
HEINZ,  CONRAD  J. 


HILBERT,  FRED. 
HOLST,  JOHN. 
HOPP,  WILLIAM  E. 

Mustered  June  21,  1898. 
JACOBS,  CHARLES  F. 
JOHNSTON,  ARCHIBALD  W. 

Discharged  Oct.  23,  1898. 
KAMIN,  WILLIAM. 

Transferred  to  Co.  L  Dec. 

29,  1898. 
KAVANAUGH,  MAURICE. 

Mustered  June  17,  1898. 
KOCONER,  MIKE. 

Mustered  June  17,  1898. 

Discharged  Sept.  30,  1898. 
KOTAPIS,  FRANK. 
LEWIS,  HERBERT. 
LICEY,  HENRY  R. 
MARTIN,  GEORGE  A. 
MCLAUGHLIN,  JOHN  M. 

Mustered  June  17,  1898. 
McGuRTY,  CHARLES  A. 
MCKENNA,  EUGENE  W. 
MCLAREN,  DONALD. 
MENDELSOHN,  BEN  E. 
MORRIS,  JOSEPH  L. 

Discharged  Aug.  27,  1898. 
OLMSTED,  HARRY. 
PACHLEY,  ADAM  G. 

Discharged  Aug.  20,  1898. 
PATEK,  JACOB  R. 

Transferred     to     Hospital 

Corps  June  14,  1898. 
PAGE,  GEORGE  D. 

Mustered  June  17,  1898. 

Discharged  Aug.  27,  1898. 
PETERSON,  GEORGE  D. 

Mustered  June  18,  1898. 

Discharged  Sept.  ~\,  1898. 


346 


HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 


PENNY,  TERRY  L. 
Mustered  June  17,  1898. 

POTTGETHER,    HERMAN. 

PETERS,  JOHN  J. 

Discharged  Feb.  10,  1898. 
PRESTON,  HERBERT  D. 

Mustered  June  18,  1898. 
RALEIGH,  WILLIAM  W. 
RANDALL,  FREDERIC. 

Transferred     to     Hospital 

Corps  June  14,  1898. 
READY,  JAMES  E. 

Discharged  Dec.  I,  1898. 
REED,  BURT  N. 

Discharged  Aug.  i,  1898. 
RICHARDSON,  EDW.  F. 
ROBB,  MARQUIS  L. 
ROCHE,  JOHN. 
ROSENBAUM,  WALTER. 
SALA,  BEN.  J. 

Discharged  Nov.  3,  1898. 


SASS,  FRED  A. 

SCHROEDER,  JOHN  F. 

SCHULTZ,  WILLIAM  H. 
SEGAL,  CHARLES. 
SHANK,  JOHN  H. 

Mustered  June  17,  1898. 
STEPHANEK,  MIKE. 
STEINHAUSEN,  ADAM. 

Mustered  June  18,  1898. 
STEVENSON,  ALACK  A. 

Mustered  June  18,  1898. 

Discharged  Oct.  31,  1898. 
STOWELL,  ARCHIE  A. 

Discharged  Oct.  10,  1898. 
SWENSON,  NELS  A. 
TANNER,  HARRY  F. 

Mustered  June  17,  1898. 
TESACK,  JOHN  A. 
WEADLY,  JOSEPH  L. 
WORTH,  WILLIAM  H. 


CHAPTER  XXV 

COMPANY    H 

CAPTAIN    JOHN   J.    GARRITY 

It  will  be  thirty  years  the  2ist  of  June  since  Captain 
John  J.  Garrity  became  a  citizen  of  Chicago  and  the 
United  States,  his  parents  then  and  now  being  residents 
of  the  West  Side. 

During  his  youth  he  attended  St.  Patrick's  Academy. 
In  1889  he  entered  the  civil  service  as  postal  clerk,  and 
enlisted  in  Company  H,  Second  Regiment  of  Infantry, 
I.  N.  G.  He  is  a  firm  believer  in  the  old  adage  about 
the  rolling  stone,  and  has  not  changed  duties  except  as 
they  came  in  the  way  of  merited  promotion  for  honest 
and  faithful  service  rendered.  His  first  promotion  in 
the  milicia,  that  of  Corporal,  bears  date  of  August  25, 
1890.  His  zealous  efforts  in  building  up  the  company 
were  recognized  again  October  10,  1891,  by  his  election 
as  Second  Lieutenant ;  and  again  April  24,  1892,  by  elec 
tion  as  First  Lieutenant.  His  present  rank  followed  on 
June  7th,  same  year,  which  gives  him  seniority  in  the 
regiment.  His  company  rendered  gallant  service  dur 
ing  the  Lemont  riot  in  1893,  and  again  during  the  Stock 
Yard's  strike  in  1894,  when  he  commanded  both  Com 
pany  H  and  Company  G.  When  war  was  declared  he 
gladly  gave  up  his  position,  and  his  men  showed  their 
loyalty  by  following  his  example,  and  have  remained 
with  him  to  the  last.  No  commanding  officer  has 
worked  more  faithfully,  for  nearly  all  their  service 

347 


348          HISTORY   OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

found  his  Lieutenants  either  sick  or  on  detached  service. 
He  has  frequently  been  in  command  of  the  Second  Bat 
talion;  but  never  complained,  however  arduous  the 
duties,  the  gradual  increase  in  efficiency  of  the  company 
being  his  only  aim.  Simultaneous  with  this  advance 
ment  has  been  that  of  the  devotion  and  love  of  the  mem 
bers  of  his  command,  which  is  attested  by  the  very  sub 
stantial  manner  in  which  they  greeted  him  on  March 
1 8th  at  Camp  Columbia,  Havana,  by  the  presentation  of 
a  handsome  gold  mounted  sword  and  belt  for  full  dress 
uniform.  Private  Frederick  C.  Shultz,  in  presenting 
same,  made  the  following  choice  remarks : 

"At  the  present  time  our  thoughts  are  nearly  all  cen 
tered  on  going  home ;  and  from  indications  it  seems  that 
before  long  we  will  be  following  the  bent  of  civil  life. 
From  the  time  of  muster  out  our  paths  will  lie  apart ; 
before  a  year  rolls  over  us  we  will  be  well  scattered ; 
perhaps  never  again  will  we  hold  a  meeting  with  all 
present;  but  time  or  distance  cannot  obliterate,  nay, 
they  will  but  strengthen,  the  tender  regard  which 
we  will  always  cherish  our  comrades.  Our  thoughts 
will  often  travel  back  to  our  army  life.  Perchance 
some  one  of  us  may  be  lying  asleep  when  a  shrill  alarm 
from  outside  will  startle  him,  but,  with  a  "damn  re 
veille,"  he  will  turn  over  and  sleep  on.  We  will  think 
of  the  scorching  Florida  sun,  our  tramps  through  the 
hot,  burning  sand,  our  skirmish  drills,  and  our  sham 
battles,  until,  imagining  we  are  again  in  the  army,  we 
will  figure  and  wonder  from  whom  we  can  borrow 
another  'five'  or  'ten.'  We  will  always  remember, 
'Steady,  there,  men!'  Tours  right,'  or  'Company  H, 
Fall  in.'  We  will  cherish  the  remembrance  of  the  hard, 
as  well  as  the  jolly  times,  that  fell  to  our  lot  of  service. 


349 


35°          HISTORY    OF   THE   SECOND    REGIMENT 

Captain,  we  know  that  a  bugle  call  will  be  unnecessary 
to  recall  to  your  mind  the  faces  of  the  boys  that  make 
up  your  command,  yet  we  offer  you  this  sword,  not  only 
as  a  token  of  our  esteem,  but  also  as  a  remembrance  of 
the  joys  and  sorrows  we  bore  together  as  Company  H, 
Second  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry." 

LIEUTENANT    WALTER   J.    DURAND. 

Lieutenant  Durand  was  born  in  Chicago,  May  n, 
1869.  He  enlisted  as  a  private  in  Company  H,  June, 
1892,  and  May  of  the  following  year  was  appointed 
Corporal.  !fci  November,  1894,  he  was  promoted  Ser 
geant,  and  was  discharged  in  1895  on  account  of  expira 
tion  of  his  term  of  service.  In  June,  1897,  he  was 
elected  Second  Lieutenant  of  Company  H,  and  as  such 
was  mustered  into  the  United  States  service  May  16, 
1898.  July  1 6,  1898,  he  was  promoted  to  the  First 
Lieutenancy  of  the  company,  vice  Beatty,  resigned.  His 
ability  as  a  capable,  conscientious  officer  was  early 
recognized.  May  23,  1898,  the  day  following  the  regi 
ment's  arrival  in  Jacksonville,  Fla.,  he  was  detailed  as 
Assistant  Division  Quartermaster  on  the  staff  of 
Brigadier-General  Lawton,  then  in  command  at  Jack 
sonville.  He  continued  in  this  position  until  August  3, 
when  he  was  returned  to  his  company,  which  he 
assumed  command  of  during  the  Captain's  six  weeks' 
illness.  October  21,  1898,  he  was  again  detached  from 
the  regiment,  and  detailed  as  Quartermaster  and  Ord 
nance  Officer  of  the  Second  Division  Hospital  of  the 
Seventh  Corps.  He  continued  as  such  until  February 
20,  1899,  when  he  rejoined  his  company,  then  in 
Havana.  Lieutenant  Durand's  ability  was  recognized 
throughout  the  Seventh  Corps,  and  his  friends  are 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  35  l 

legion  among  the  different  regiments  which  constituted 
the  corps. 

Lieutenant  Dnrand  is  a  married  man,  and  in  civil  life 
is  senior  partner  in  the  Illinois  Business  College  at 
Madison  street  and  Ogden  avenue,  Chicago. 

CHAMBERLAIN. 

Second  Lieutenant  Fred  V.  S.  Chamberlain  of  Com 
pany  H  is  the  youngest  of  the  Second's  officers.  He 
was  born  in  South  Orange,  N.  J.,  July  18,  1877,  and  has 
lived  in  Chicago  since  infancy.  He  was  educated  in 
public  and  boarding  schools,  and  was  a  cadet  at  West 
Point, 

He  was  at  Chickamauga  with  the  regulars,  as  a  war 
correspondent,  until  the  Second  reached  Jacksonville. 
Then  he  was  assigned  by  his  paper  to  the  regiment, 
where  he  received,  at  the  hands  o<f  Colonel  Moulton,  an 
appointment,  and  was  commissioned  as  Second  Lieuten 
ant  in  Company  H. 

In  August  and  September  Lieutenant  Chamberlain 
was  detailed  as  Adjutant  of  the  Provost  Guard,  Sev 
enth  Army  Corps,  and  organized  that  department.  He 
was  relieved  at  his  own  request,  and  rejoined  the  regi 
ment  in  Jacksonville,  just  in  time  to  go  with  the  com 
mand  to  Savannah.  There  the  typhoid  fever  set  in,  and 
he  was  left  behind  for  a  nine  weeks'  siege  in  the  Savan 
nah  hospital.  In  February  he  rejoined  his  command. 
During  one  of  the  sham  battles  in  Jacksonville,  Lieuten 
ant  Chamberlain  flanked  a  battalion  of  the  enemy  with 
a  platoon  of  his  company.  He  plunged  his  men  into 
a  tropical  swamp,  and  when  they  returned  to  the  regi 
ment  they  were  bedraggled  and  covered  with  slime. 


352  HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 


COMPANY    HISTORY. 

Company  H  is,  by  virtue  of  its  commander's  rank, 
the  senior  company  of  the  regiment.  But  two  of  Com 
pany  H's  men  died  during  the  Spanish-American  war. 
Private  Francis  W.  Cheshire  died  June  n,  in  Spring 
field,  of  pneumonia,  and  Private  William  D.  Veazey 
in  Jacksonville,  September  22d,  of  liver  trouble.  Cap 
tain  Garrity  was  untiring  in  his  efforts  to  preserve  the 
men's  health;  and  during  the  dark  days  of  fever  and 
death  in  Jacksonville,  enforced  the  strictest  sanitary 
regulations. 

After  a  month  in  camp  at  Jacksonville,  First  Lieuten 
ant  Elmer  A.  Beatty  was  forced  by  his  ill  health  to 
resign.  Second  Lieutenant  Walter  J.  Durand  was 
made  First  Lieutenant,  and  Fred  V.  S.  Chamberlain, 
one  of  the  correspondents  with  the  Second,  was  ap 
pointed  Second  Lieutenant.  With  these  officers  Com 
pany  H  completed  its  service  in  the  Volunteer  Army. 

Lieutenant  Durand  was  on  detached  duty  as  Assistant 
Quartermaster  of  the  Second  Division  of  the  Seventh 
Army  Corps  during  June  and  July,  and  as  Quarter 
master  of  the  Second  Division  Hospital  from  October, 
1898,  to  February,  1899.  Lieutenant  Chamberlain  was 
away  on  duty  with  the  Provost  Guard  of  the  Seventh 
Army  Corps  in  August  and  September. 

Company  H  was  particularly  fortunate  in  its  non 
commissioned  officers.  First  Sergeant  Albert  J.  Sielke, 
Sergeants  Liscum,  Schay,  McLeod,  Swenson,  and 
Boening,  were  veterans  of  the  National  Guard,  who  had 
faced  angry  mobs  in  the  Stock  Yards  district  before 
entering  the  volunteer  service. 

In  the  movement  from  Jacksonville  to  Savannah  of 


353 


354          HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

Lee's  corps,  en  route  to  Cuba,  Company  H  had  charge 
of  the  stock  and  equipment  trains,  performing  a  dis 
agreeable,  hard  and  arduous  service  to  the  satisfaction 
of  all.  On  the  move  from  Savannah  to  Cuba  Com 
pany  H  was  with  the  Second  Battalion  on  the  transport 
''Michigan,"  the  men  bearing  the  horrors  of  the  trip  on 
a  steamer  unfit  for  human  beings'  use,  with  soldierly 
silence. 

In  Cienfuegos  the  company  was  quartered  in  the 
Plasa  cle  Vivas  and  acted  as  a  guard  for  the  property 
of  American  and  Spanish  citizens.  Captain  Garrity 
was  detailed  to  organize  the  postal  service  in  the  city  of 
a  hundred  fires ;  and  as  Lieutenant  Chamberlain  was  in 
the  Savannah  Hospital  suffering  from  typhoid  fever, 
the  command  of  the  company  fell  upon  First  Sergeant 
Sielke.  The  Cienfuegos  expedition  was  one  replete 
with  pleasure  for  the  men,  who  brought  home  a  big  box 
of  relics  and  curiosities. 

In  1882  Dana  Slade  organized  Company  H  as  a  part 
of  the  then  so-called  New  Second  Regiment.  Slade, 
who  resigned  in  June,  1884,  became  the  first  Captain, 
with  Harry  S.  Fullwood  as  First  and  Richard  J.  Cahill 
as  Second  Lieutenants. 

Lieutenant  Fullwood  died  and  was  succeeded  by 
Charles  F.  Smith,  Lieutenant  Cahill  being  followed  by 
Elmer  D.  Parker.  These  officers  were  elected  August 
28,  1884,  at  which  time  William  N.  Pelouze  was  elected 
to  fill  the  vacancy  caused  by  Captain  Slade's  resigna 
tion.  Lieutenant  Parker  was  elected  Captain  to  suc 
ceed  Captain  Pelouze,  who  became  a  Major  of  the  regi 
ment  in  1886,  and  under  Captain  Parker  the  company 
served  in  the  riots  in  the  Stock  Yards  in  1886  and  was 
on  duty  in  its  armory  during  the  execution  of  the  an 
archists  following  the  Haymarket  riot. 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY 


355 


Charles  P.  Wright,  now  Captain  of  Company  B,  was 
elected  First  Lieutenant  when  Captain  Parker  was  pro 
moted,  and  George  C.  Cook,  Second  Lieutenant,  Lieu 
tenant  Smith  having  resigned. 

In  January,  1890,  Captain  Parker  and  Lieutenant 
Cook  resigned.  Lieutenant  Wright  became  Captain, 


LIEUTENANT  BEATTY. 

Aimer  H.  Wells  First  and  Stephen  McNamara  Second 
Lieutenants.  Captain  Wright  was  promoted  to  the 
field  a  few  months  later,  Lieutenant  Wells  was  pro 
moted  to  the  Captaincy,  and  F.  W.  Bell  became  First 
Lieutenant. 

Lieutenant  McNamara,  who  resigned,  was  followed 


HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

by  the  present  Captain  in  October,  1891.  Lieutenant 
Bell  then  resigned  and  Lieutenant  Garrity  was  pro 
moted  in  May,  1892,  Elmer  A.  Beatty  succeeding  to 
the  Second  Lieutenancy.  When  Captain  Wells  severed 
his  connection  with  the  National  Guard,  June  14,  1892, 
Lieutenant  Garrity  became  Captain,  and  has  served 
continuously  as  such  ever  since.  Lieutenant  Beatty 
was  elected  First  Lieutenant  when  Captain  Garrity  was 
elected  Captain,  and  E.  H.  Hahn  became  Second. 
Hahn  was  succeeded  in  1894  by  Harry  L.  Martin,  fol 
lowed  two  years  later  by  William  A.  Holub,  who  gave 
place  in  1897  to  the  present  First  Lieutenant  Walter  J. 
Durand.  On  Lieutenant  Beatty's  resignation,  July  16, 
1898,  Durand  was  appointed  First  Lieutenant,  and  Fred 
V.  S.  Chamberlain  Second  Lieutenant. 

ROSTER    OF    COMPANY    H. 

Mustered  into  service  May  16,  1898,  at  Springfield,  Illinois. 

OFFICERS. 

JOHN  J.  GARRITY,  Captain. — Mustered  into  service  May  16,  1898. 

ELMER  A.  BEATTY,  First  Lieutenant. — Mustered  into  service 
May  16,  1898.— Resigned  July  II,  1898.— Died  in  Chi 
cago,  111.,  Oct.  17,  1898. 

WALTER  J.  DURAND,  First  Lieutenant. — Mustered  into  service 
May  16,  1898. — Promoted  from  Second  Lieutenant  to  First 
Lieutenant  July  16,  1898.— Detailed  Chief  Quartermaster 
of  Division  Hospital  Corps,  Oct.  n,  1898. 

FRED  V.  S.  CHAMBERLAIN,  Second  Lieutenant. — Mustered  into 
service  July  16,  1898. — Detailed  Assistant  Provost  Marshal 
Aug.  17,  1898. 

ALBERT  SIELKE,  First  Sergeant. 

WILLIAM  M.  SWENSON,  Q.  M.  Sergeant. — Resumed  duty  as 
Sergeant  Dec.  5,  1898. 

ALBERT  McLEOD,  Q.  M.  Sergeant. — Appointed  Q.  M.  Sergeant 
from  Duty  Sergeant  Dec.  5,  1898. 

PETER  M.  SCHAY,  Sergeant. 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  357 

CHAS.  J.  LANGMAYER,  Sergeant. — Discharged  Sept.  30,  1898. 

Louis  A.  BOENING,  Sergeant. 

MAX  ALEXANDER,  Corporal. — Discharged  Jan.  3,  1899. 

CHARLES  R.  McCoY,  Corporal. — Discharged  Nov.  5,  1898. 

FRANCIS  W.  BELL,  Corporal.— Discharged  Dec.  31,  1898. 

HARRY  C.  LISCOM,  Corporal. — Promoted,  Reg.  O.  No.  53,  from 
Corporal  to  Sergeant,  Nov.  21,  1898. 

CHARLES  R.  MELIN,  Corporal. 

JOHN  DVORAK,  Corporal. — Discharged  Dec.   i,   1898. 

ERNEST  ERMEL,  Corporal. — Discharged  Aug.  6,  1898. 

EVAN  P.  KIRK,  Corporal. — Appointed  July  i,  1898. 

ARVTD  MASON,  Corporal.— Appointed  Jan.  17,  1899,  under  Gen 
eral  Orders  No.  n. 

FRANK  W.  PAGLUSCH,  Corporal.— Appointed  July  i,  1898. 

HENRY  W.  HARRIS,  Corporal.— Appointed  Sept.  22,  1898.— Dis 
charged  Jan.  10,  1899,  S.  O.  No.  51,  A.  G.  O. 

WILLIAM  I.  COTTER,  Corporal. — Appointed  Sept.  22,  1898. 

WILLIS  V.  BINGHAM,  Corporal.— Appointed  Cook  from  private 
Sept.  27,  1898. 

JAMES  J.  FURLONG,  Corporal. — Appointed  July  i,  1898. 

JOHN  PUETZ,  Wagoner.— Discharged  Jan.  20,  1899. 

HERMANN  ECKARDT,  Artificer.— Appointed  July  i,   1898. 

JOHN  J.  LAIER,  Musician. — Transferred  to  Company  M,  July 

13,  1898. 
WILLIAM  BYRNES,  Musician. — Enlisted  in  Company  H,  Second 

Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  Nov.  9,  1898,  at  Savannah,  Ga. ; 

served  five  months  in  Seventh  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry, 

now  mustered  out  of  service. — Discharged  from  Seventh 

Illinois  Oct.  20,  1898. 
FRANK  A.  HOWE,  Musician.— Transferred  from  Company  M  to 

Company  H,  July  12,  1898.— Discharged  Sept.  17,  1898. 

PRIVATES. 

ABLER,  MANUEL.  BELZER,  ROBERT. 

ALSOP,  OSCAR  B.  BURSON,  HARRY  H. 

ANDERSON,  EDWARD.  BUCHANAN,  JOHN. 

BARCLAY,  JOHN  C.  Discharged  Sept.  5,  1898. 

B  \R:OW,  THOMAS  J.  BUSH,  CHARLES  H. 

Appointed    Corporal  from     CHESHIRE,  FRANCIS  W. 
Private,  Nov.  21,   1898,  R.         Died     at     Springfield,     111., 

O.  No.  53.  June  n,  1898,  of  pneumonia. 


HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 


CLAUSSEN,  WILLIAM  E. 
CLARK,  .ROBERT  O. 

Transferred   to    Band    May 

24,  1898. 

CUNNINGHAM,  JAMES. 
DALE,  BRADO  B. 

Discharged  Jan.  18,  1898. 
DEZORT,  FRANK. 
DICKEY,  ARTHUR  M. 
EISENBERG,  ABE  M. 

Discharged  Aug.  20,  1898. 
FAITZ,  JOHN  H. 
FARSKY,  ANTHONY. 
FEE,  JOSEPH  P. 
FITCH,  ARTHUR  M. 

Appointed     Corporal     from 

Private  Nov.  21,  1898,  Reg. 

Ord.  No.  53- 
GERNER,  EDWARD. 
GILBERT,  Gu  STAVE. 
HANIFIN,  JOHN  J. 
HANSON,  HANS  O. 
HOWE,  FRANK  A. 

Discharged  Sept.  17,  1898. 
HANSON,  OSCAR. 
HILL,  FRANK  E. 

Discharged  Nov.  29,  1898. 
JARDINES,  CLARENCE  A. 
JOHNSON,  JOHN  F.  P. 
JONES,  WILFRED  C. 

Transferred  to  U.   S.   Hos 
pital  Corps  July  31,  1898. 
JONES,  CHARLES  W. 
KRUSE,  WILLIAM. 
LAM  PERT,  ALBERT  G. 
LARSEN,  CHARLES  E. 

Discharged,  S.  O.  No.  53A; 

G.  O.  dated  March  6,  1899. 

Discharge  to  date  from  Feb. 

27,  1899. 


LARSEN,  ERNST  M. 
LARSEN,  GUSTAVE. 

Discharged  Nov.  15,  1898. 
LEVECKE,  CHARLES. 
LOSBY,  FRED  J. 
MARBLE,  WYNDOM  C. 

Transferred  to  U.   S.  Hos 
pital  Corps  June  15,  1898. 
MCMAHON,  FRANK  P. 
McDowD,  JOHN. 
MOORE,  CHARLES  E. 

Discharged  Nov.  29,  1898. 
MARCHACEK,  ALBERT. 
MARENI,  CHARLES  A. 

Discharged  Sept.  17,  1898. 
MEDUNA,  JERRY. 
MOORE,  THOMAS  D. 

Discharged  Oct.  29,  1898. 
NOHREN,  HARRY. 
NAGLE,  LEONARD  A. 

Discharged  Sept.  13,  1898. 
OLSEN,  DANIEL. 
OSSMER,  GEORGE. 
PIPER,  BERT  P. 

Discharged  Nov.  18,  1898. 
PUETZ,  HUBERT. 
RACZYNSKI,  JOSEPH,  No.  i. 
RACZYNSKI,  JOSEPH,  No.  2. 

Discharged  Sept.  18,  1898. 
RICHARDSON,  CHARLES  R. 
ROBERTSON,  GEORGE  B. 
ROWE,  CLINTON  A. 

Appointed     Corporal     from 

Private  per  R.   O.    No.   28, 

March  20,  1899. 
ROONEY,  JOHN  F. 

Discharged  Dec.  30,  1898. 
RYAN,  JAMES  F. 

Formerly    of    Company    B ; 

transferred  March  8,  1899. 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER   INFANTRY  359 

ROONEY,  JAMES  M.  SUNDEEN,  OSCAR. 

SCHAFF,  WILLIAM  G.  SYLVESTER,  OTTO  F. 

SCHROEDER,    THEODORE   J.  THOMAS,    W.    E. 

SCHIEMBECK,  HENRY.  Discharged  Oct.  29,  1898. 

Appointed    Wagoner    from  THOMAS,  CHARLES  H. 
Private    (vice    Puetz),    Co.  VALHA,  LADI. 
Order  No.  2,  March  i,  1899.  VEAZEY,  WILLIAM  D. 

SHAW,  WILLIAM  W.  Died  of  hypertrophic  aubo- 

Appointed     Corporal     from       sis  of  the  liver  at  Jackson- 
Private,  per  Reg.  Order  No.      ville,  Fla.,  Sept.  22,  1898. 
n,  Jan.  17,  1899.  VOTAVA,  JOSEPH. 

SCHAARE,  WILLIAM  F.  Discharged  Jan.  17,  1898. 

Transferred  to  U.  S.  Hos-  VOORHEES,  BEEKMAN  J. 
pital  Corps  June  14,  1898.        WALTER,  THOMAS  A. 

SHULTZ,  HERMANN.  WIEDMAN,  Gus. 

SCHULTZ,  FREDERICK  C.  WHEELER,  CHARLES  M. 

SHUBERT,  STEPHEN.  WHITMORE,  WILLIAM  E. 

SLEEPER,  ROY  G.  WOLF,  ADAM. 

SMIETANKA,  JOHN  W.  Appointed    Trumpeter    Jan. 

SMITH,  THEODORE  L.  3,  1899,  R.  O.  No.  i. 

Discharged  Dec.  30,  1898.        WETTER,  JOSEPH  K. 

SNYDER,  FRED.  WIECZOREK,  FELIX  A. 

STRONG,  LUMAN  M.  Discharged  Oct.  13,  1898. 


CHAPTER  XXVI 

COMPANY    I 

CAPTAIN    FRED    E.    KOEHLER 

Captain  Koehler,  who  is  one  of  the  youngest  company 
commanders  in  the  regiment,  was  born  in  Chicago, April 
15,  1871,  and  was  educated  in  the  Chicago  public  and 
Des  Moines  (Iowa)  grammar  schools.  His  military 
record  dates  from  April  6,  1891,  when  he  enlisted  as 
a  private  in  Company  M,  Second  Infantry,  I.  N.  G. 
From  that  time  on  his  advancement  was  rapid,  and 
July  i,  1892,  found  him  a  Corporal.  September  12, 
1893,  he  was  promoted  Sergeant,  and  October  29,  1895, 
he  was  made  First  Sergeant  of  the  company.  January 
27,  1896,  he  was  elected  Second  Lieutenant  of  the  com 
pany,  and  on  May  I9th  of  the  same  year,  he  was  pro 
moted  to  the  First  Lieutenancy,  which  rank  he  held  at 
the  time  the  regiment  left  Chicago  to  be  mustered  into 
the  United  States  service.  At  that  time  Company  I, 
which  had  just  previously  been  recruited  up  to  the 
maximum  membership,  was  without  a  commander,  and 
the  choice  fell  to  Lieutenant  Koehler,  who  was  mustered 
into  the  volunteer  service  as  its  Captain,  May  16,  1898. 
Captain  Koehler  continued  in  command  of  the  company 
during  its  year  of  service,  and  the  splendid  record  made 
by  the  company,  was  made  possible  by  the  efficient  and 
able  conduct  of  its  affairs  by  its  youthful  and  energetic 
commander. 

Captain  Koehler  is  unmarried,  and  in  civil  life  is 
engaged  in  the  yeast  and  bakery  industries.  He  proved 

360 


CAPT.  F.  E.  KOEHLER. 
LIEUT.  W.  C.  METCALF.  LIEUT.  B.  S.  PURINTON. 


361 


32          HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

to  be  an  energetic  and  painstaking  officer,  and  can  re 
turn  to  civil  pursuits  with  the  knowledge  of  having  per 
formed  the  duties  of  his  position  ably  and  faithfully. 

LIEUTENANT    WILLIS    C.    METCALF. 

Lieutenant  Metcalf  was  early  detached  from  his  com 
pany  and  appointed  Adjutant  and  Assistant  Provost 
Marshal  of  the  Seventh  Corps  under  Major  Russell  B. 
Harrison,  and  continued  as  such  up  to  the  time  of  the 
muster  out  of  the  regiment. 

His  military  career  has  been  a  varied  one,  having 
served  several  terms  of  enlistments  in  the  regular  army, 
and  having  also  held  commissions  in  the  Massachusetts 
Volunteer  Militia  and  the  Kansas  National  Guard. 
His  connection  with  the  Second  Illinois  dates  from 
1896,  when  he  enlisted  as  a  private  in  Company  M  of 
that  regiment.  He  was  shortly  afterward  promoted 
Sergeant  and  later  Sergeant-Ma j or  of  the  Third  Bat 
talion,  which  rank  he  held  at  the  time  he  was  mustered 
into  the  United  States  service  as  First  Lieutenant  of 
Company  I.  At  the  present  writing  he  is  still  in  Hav 
ana,  Cuba,  on  duty. 

LIEUTENANT  BERTRAM  S.  PURINTON. 

Lieutenant  Purinton  was  born  in  Chicago,  November 
23,  1875,  and  was  educated  in  the  public  and  high 
schools  of  that  city.  His  military  experience  has  been 
a  varied  one,  having  served  as  ship's  bugler  in  the  First 
Battalion,  Illinois  Naval  Militia;  Sergeant  in  the  First 
Infantry,  I.  N.  G.,  bugle  corps;  private  in  Troop  C, 
First  Cavalry,  I.  N.  G.,  and  principal  musician,  chief 
trumpeter,  and  Ordnance  Sergeant  in  the  Second  Infan 
try,  I.  N.  G.  When  the  regiment  was  mustered  into  the 


363 


HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

United  States  service,  May  16,  1898,  he  was  then  Ord 
nance  Sergeant,  but  was  appointed  Second  Lieutenant 
of  Company  I,  and,  as  such,  was  mustered  in. 
In  civil  life  he  is  in  the  tailoring  business. 

COMPANY    HISTORY. 

Company  I  was  originally  Troop  A,  First  Cavalry, 
I.  N.  G.,  and  upon  the  consolidation  of  that  command 
with  the  Second  Infantry,  I.  N.  G.,  became  Company  I 
of  that  regiment.  Shortly  before  the  call  for  troops  by 
the  President,  the  company  was  in  process  of  re 
organization  ;  and  when  it  reported  at  Springfield,  111., 
April  26,  1898,  it  was  practically  a  new  company,  and 
temporarily  in  command  of  First  Lieutenant  John  W. 
Swatek  of  Company  L,  who  was  shortly  after  selected 
as  Captain  of  that  company.  This  left  Company  I 
without  an  officer;  and  First  Lieutenant  Fred  E.  Kohler 
of  Company  M  was  detailed  to  take  charge  of  the  com 
pany.  When  the  company  was  mustered  into  the 
United  States  service,  May  16,  1898,  Lieutenant 
Koehler  was  chosen  Captain,  Sergeant-Major  Willis 
C.  Metcalf  of  the  Third  Battalion,  First  Lieutenant, 
and  Ordnance  Sergeant  Bertram  S.  Purinton,  Second 
Lieutenant.  Trumpeter  Enoch  Colby  was  made  First 
Sergeant,  and  the  company  entered  the  volunteer  service 
with  a  complete  set  of  officers  and  non-commissioned 
officers.  Although  a  new  company,  it  was  not  long 
before  "I"  took  a  prominent  part  in  the  affairs  of  the 
regiment,  and  was  soon  noted  for  its  excellence  in  all 
matters  pertaining  to  the  duties  of  a  soldier.  Lieuten 
ant  Metcalf  was  early  detached  from  the  company  on 
duty  with  the  Provost  Guard  of  the  Seventh  Corps,  and 
the  company  went  through  its  year  of  service  with 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  365 


ALPHONSO  XIII. 

but  two  officers.  Captain  Koehler  was  one  of  the 
youngest  company  commanders  in  the  regiment,  and 
the  splendid  record  of  "I"  reflects  great  credit  upon  his 
conduct  of  affairs,  although  the  splendid  caliber  of  his 
non-commissioned  officers ;  and  the  loyalty  and  devotion 
of  the  men  of  the  company  made  it  possible  for  the 
company  to  compare  favorably  with  the  older  com 
panies  of  the  regiment. 

The  company  lost  but  two  members  by  death,  the 
first  being  Private  William  C.  Bryant,  who  died  of 
pneumonia  at  St.  John's  Hospital,  Springfield,  111.,  May 
22,  1898.  His  remains  were  sent  to  his  relatives  at 
Evanston,  111.,  for  interment.  The  other  death  was 
that  of  Private  Robert  B.  Gushaw,  who  died  of  typhoid 


HISTORY    OF   THE   SECOND    REGIMENT 

fever,  September  22,  1898,  at  Jacksonville.  His  re 
mains  were  sent  to  his  relatives  in  Chicago. 

The  company  contained  probably  more  artists  and 
artisans  than  any  other  company  in  the  regiment ;  and 
an  evidence  of  the  company's  skill  and  thrift  in  this 
direction  is  the  magnificent  monument  left  upon  the 
site  of  the  regiment's  camp  near  Havana,  Cuba.  The 
design  was  executed  by  Corporal  Merit  Davoust  of  th? 
company,  who  personally  superintended  the  erection  of 
the  column,  and  was  ably  assisted  by  Privates  John  J. 
Ryan  and  John  F.  Shay. 

A  history  of  Company  I  would  not  be  complete  with 
out  mention  of  the  efficient  and  loyal  support  given  by 
every  member  of  the  company,  and  especially  that  of 
First  Sergeant  H.  O.  Anderson,  Quartermaster-Ser 
geant  Fred  R.  Boyle,  Sergeants  Edward  L.  Johnson, 
Thomas  L.  Roberts,  and  Corporals  Sorenson,  Schmidt, 
Borland,  Brown,  Chester,  Sheckler,  Danenhower, 
Johnston,  Lucas,  Davoust,  Torgerson,  Kirkpatrick,  and 
company  clerk,  Corporal  Stanley  J.  McMahon. 

ROSTER    OF    COMPANY    I. 

Mustered  into  service  May  16,  1898,  at  Springfield,  Illinois. 

OFFICERS. 

FRED  E.  KOHLER,  Captain. — Mustered  into  service  May  16,  1898. 
WILLIS  C.  METCALF,  First  Lieutenant. — Mustered  into  service 

May  16,   1898. — Special  duty  as  Provost  Guard  Adjutant 

since  Sept.  24,  1898. 
BERTRAM    S.    PURINTON,    Second    Lieutenant. — Mustered    into 

service  May  16,  1898. 
CHARLES  A.  WALTON,  First  Sergeant. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. 

— Resumed  duty  as   Duty   Sergeant  July   14,    1898. — Dis 
charged  Nov.  30,  1898. 
ENOCH  C.  COLBY,  First  Sergeant. — Mustered  as  Q.  M.  Sergeant 

May    16,     1898. — Promoted    July     14,     1898. — Discharged 

March  13,  1899. 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER   INFANTRY  367 

FRED  R.  BOYLE,  Q.  M.  Sergeant.— Mustered  as  Sergeant  May 
16,  1898.— Promoted  Q.  M.  Sergeant  July  14,  1898. 

HERMAN  O.  ANDERSON,  Sergeant.— Mustered  May  16,  1898.— 
Promoted  to  First  Sergeant  vice  Colby  discharged,  March 
13,  1899. 

EDWARD  L.  JOHNSON,  Sergeant.— Mustered  May  16,  1898. 

JOHN  SORENSON,  Sergeant. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. — Pro 
moted  Corporal  July  9,  1898.— Promoted  Sergeant  Dec.  3, 
1898. 

THOMAS  M.  ROBERTS,  Sergeant.— Mustered  May  16,   1898. 

ARTHUR  H.  BORLAND,  Corporal. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. 

JOSEPH  BITSON,  Corporal.— Mustered  May  16,  1898.— Promoted 
Feb.  i,  1899. 

JOHN  J.  BROWN,  Corporal.— Mustered  May  16,  1898.— Promoted 
July  9,  1898.— Discharged  Jan.  18,  1899. 

FRED  P.  CHESTER,  Corporal.— Mustered  May  16,  1898.— Pro 
moted  July  9,  1898.— Promoted  to  Sergeant  vice  Anderson 
promoted,  March  14,  1899. 

MERIT  R.  DAVOUST,  Corporal. — Promoted  March  8,  1899. 

FRANK  G.  DANENHOWER,  Corporal. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. — 
Discharged  Dec.  27,  1898. 

EDWARD  F.  JOHNSTON,  Corporal. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. 

THOMAS  H.  KIRKPATRICK,  Corporal. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. 
Promoted  Dec.  3,  1898. 

PHILIP  A.  LUCAS,  Corporal. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. — Dis 
charged  Jan.  7,  1899. 

GEORGE  F.  ROBERTSON,  Corporal. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. — 
Promoted  Dec.  3,  1898. 

LEON  SHECKLER,  Corporal. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. — Pro 
moted  July  9,  1898. 

GEORGE  'W.  STUMKE,  Corporal. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. — Pro 
moted  Dec.  23,  1898. 

FRANK  WILKINSON,  Corporal. — Mustered  June  25,  1898. — Pro 
moted  Feb.  i,  1899. 

GILBERT  R.  GRINNELL,  Musician. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. — 
Discharged  Jan.  21,  1899. 

ROBERT  B.  GUSHWA,  Artificer. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. — Died 
at  Jacksonville,  Fla.,  Sept.  28,  1898. 

FRANCIS  J.  THOMAS,  Artificer. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. — Pro 
moted  Dec.  30,  1898. 


368 


HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 


JOSEPH  SULLIVAN,  Wagoner. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. 

GILBERT  A.   FRANCHE,   Cook. — Mustered  May  16,   1898. — Dis 
charged  Nov.  30,  1898. 

GEORGE  H.  EIGLFR,  Cook. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. — Promoted 
Sept.  3,  1898 

PRIVATES. 


ALLEN,  JAMES  P. 

ABBOTT,  GEORGE  H. 
Mustered  June  25    1898. 

ASHLEMAN,  WILLIAM, 
Mustered  June  25,  1898. 

BACHRACH,  WILLIAM. 

BRAUN,  AUGUST. 

BRYANT,  WILLIAM. 

Died     at     Springfield,     111., 
May  23,  1898. 

BURG,  EDWARD. 
Discharged  Nov.  23,  1898. 

CAMPBELL,  THEODORE. 
Discharged  Dec.  29,  1898. 

CRAIG,  LEE. 
Discharged  Jan.  17,  1899. 

CHEER,  WILLIAM. 

CRAVEN,  MERRET  B. 

CARRELL,  MORTON  D. 

Transferred  to  U.   S.   Hos 
pital  Corps  June  5,  1898. 

DUNN,  JOHN  E. 
Discharged  Jan.  17,  1899. 

DECAIRE,  GEORGE. 

Mustered  June  25,  1898. 
Discharged  March  i,  1899. 

EMERY,  ARTHUR  T. 
Transferred  to  U.  S.  Hos 
pital  Corps  June  i,  1898. 

EVERETT,  WILLIAM. 

FLEMING,  HERBERT  H. 

FORRESTER,  ABE  C. 
Transferred  to  U.  S.  Signal 
Corps  Nov.  30,  1898. 


FRANKS,  WILLIAM. 
FREEMAN,  FRED. 
FREEMAN,  CHARLES  E. 

Mustered  June  25,  1898. 

Discharged  Jan.  17,  1899. 
GUSHWA,  GEORGE  G. 

Discharged  Dec.  27,  1898. 
GILKISON,  JASPER  A. 

Mustered  June  25,  1898. 
GUSMAN,  DENNY. 

Mustered  June  25,  1898. 
GUSMAN,  ROY. 

Mustered  June  25,  1898. 
HEUM,  OSCAR  O. 
HOUDEK,  STEPHEN. 
HAIGH,  RAYMOND  C. 

Mustered  June  25,  1898. 

Discharged  Jan.  17,  1899. 
HARAZIN,  JOHN. 

Mustered  June  25,  1898. 

Discharged  Jan.  17,  1899. 
HUBCKA,  EMIL. 

Mustered  June  25,  1898. 
INGRAM,  JOSEPH  A. 
JOHNSON,  H.  JALMER. 

Mustered  June  25,  1898. 
KEMPTER,  JACOB. 

Mustered  June  25,  1898. 
KOCH,  FRED. 
KRUEGER,  FRANK. 
KREMBS,  WALTER  R. 

Transferred  to  U.   S.  Hos 
pital  Corps  June  5,  1898. 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY 


369 


LINDBLAD,  FRANK  W. 

Mustered  June  25,  1898. 

Promoted  to  Corporal  March 

14,  1899. 
LEVIN  SON,  WILLIAM. 

Mustered  June  25,  1898. 
LIPPERT,  RICHARD  G. 
MCMAHON,  STANLEY  J. 

Appointed    Company    Clerk 

July  17,  1898. 

Promoted  to  Corporal  March 

24.  1899. 

MARSH,  WILLIAM. 
McCREA,  JOHN  J. 

Absent  sick  in  Chicago  since 

Dec.  21,  1898. 
MILLER,  EDWARD  N. 
MORSE,  GUY. 

Discharged  Jan.  3,  1899. 

McEMERICH,    ROY. 

Mustered  June  25,  1898. 
MERRELL,  FRED  B. 

Mustered  June  25,  1898. 
MEYERS,  ELI. 

Mustered  June  25,  1898, 
MILLER,  CLYDE. 

Mustered  June  25,  1898. 
NAEF,  Louis. 
NASS,  L-DWiN. 

Mustered  June  25,  1898. 
O'BRIEN,  THOMAS  J. 
OHLSEN,  LEONARD. 
OHRENSTEIN,  MAX  J. 
OLSEN,  BERT. 

Discharged  March  3,  1899. 
PATRICK,  BURTON  W. 
PETERS,  OTTO  J. 
PETERSEN,  PETER  C. 


RIEDEL,  GEORGE. 

Mustered  June  25,  1898. 
RYAN,  JOHN  J. 

Mustered  June  25,  1898. 
RICHART,  GEORGE  W. 
RUGER,  MAX. 

Discharged  Oct.  18,  1898. 
SCHUETZ,  V-::LLIAM. 

Mustered  June  25,  1898. 
SIMON,  HE.<TRY  G. 

Mustered  June  25,  1898. 
Discharged  Jan.  20,  1899. 
SMITH,  HARRY  G. 
Mustered  June  25,  1898. 
Died   at   Jacksonville,    Fla., 
Oct.  27,  1898. 
STONER,  MAX. 

Mustered  June  25,  1898. 
SCHMIDT,  ERNST. 
SCHULTZ,  RALPH  E. 
SELIGMAN,  MAX. 
SHAY,  JOHN  F. 
SIXEAS,  HORACE  H. 

Discharged  Sept.  28,  1898. 
SMITH,  THOMAS. 
STANTON,  RICHARD. 
STARK,  FRED. 

Discharged  Jan.  26,  1899. 
STRACHAN,  EDWARD. 
STRENGER,  FREDERICK. 
VERDEN,  JOHN. 

Mustered  June  25,  1898. 
VOGT,  CHARLES. 

Discharged  Jan.  20,  1899. 
VAN  HEIRK,  EDWARD. 

Transferred  to  U.   S.  Hos 
pital  Corps  Jan.  5,  1899. 
WALD,  EDWARD. 
WELTNER,  RICHARD  B. 


CHAPTER  XXVII 

COMPANY    K 

CAPTAIN    ALBIN    A.    BENNING 

Captain  Banning  was  born  in  the  Windy  City  on 
February  3,  1867.  Educated  at  the  public  schools  of 
the  city,  he  is  by  calling  a  cabinet  manufacturer.  He 
is  not  married,  as  yet.  His  connection  with  the  mili 
tary  service  extends  over  a  period  of  thirteen  years,  and 
he  has  filled  with  credit  every  grade  from  private  up  to 
his  present  rank,  to  which  he  attained  as  long  ago  as 
1894. 

Captain  Benning  is  a  most  efficient  commander,  and 
is  highly  esteemed  by  his  men.  During  his  period  of 
service  in  the  Volunteer  Army,  being  the  senior  com 
pany  officer  doing  duty  with  the  Third  Battalion,  the 
duty  of  taking  the  place  of  Major  Purinton,  whenever 
the  latter  was  on  other  duty,  and  also  during  his  absence 
on  leave,  on  which  occasions  Captain  Benning's  hand 
ling  of  the  battalion  left  nothing  to  be  desired. 

MILITARY    RECORD. 

Private,  Second  Illinois  National  Guard,  July,  1886; 
promoted  Corporal,  Sergeant,  and  First  Sergeant ;  Sec 
ond  Lieutenant,  June,  1892 ;  First  Lieutenant,  March, 
1893;  Captain,  April,  1894;  mustered  into  Second  Illi 
nois  Vol.  Infy.  as  Captain,-May  16,  i 


370 


372          HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

FIRST   LIEUTENANT   HENRY  J.   FREEMAN. 

Lieutenant  Freeman  was  born  in  Chicago  in  the  year 
1870,  and  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  the  city. 
He  is  unmarried,  and  is  by  calling  a  railroad  clerk. 
Joining  the  Second  Illinois  National  Guard  as  a  private 
in  February,  1887,  he  passed  quickly  through  the 
various  grades  in  the  National  Guard,  reaching  the 
rank  of  First  Lieutenant  in  1894,  with  which  rank  he 
was  mustered  into  the  United  States  service  at  the  com 
mencement  of  the  war. 

Almost  immediatelv  on  arrival  in  Cuba,  in  conse 
quence  of  the  paucity  of  officers  in  the  Tenth  U.  S. 
Infantry,  Lieutenant  Freeman  was  detailed  to  do  duty 
with  that  regiment,  which  was  performing  provost  duty 
in  Havana  City.  This  annoying  and  harassing  service 
demanded  his  presence  during  the  entire  stay  of  the 
regiment  in  Cuba ;  and  Lieutenant  Freeman's  services 
received  the  commendation  of  the  commanding  officer 
of  the  Tenth  Infantry. 

Lieutenant  Freeman  is  popular  with  the  men  of  his 
company,  and  his  being  detailed  away  from  the  regi 
ment  was  a  matter  of  regret,  complimentary  though  the 
selection  was. 

MILITARY   RECORD. 

Private,  Second  I.  N.  G.,  February  i,  1887;  Corporal, 
March  6,  1888 ;  Sergeant,  April  5,  1891 ;  Second 
Lieutenant,  March  6,  1893;  First  Lieutenant,  April  2, 
1894;  First  Lieutenant,  Second  Illinois  Vol.  Infy.,  M^y 
18,  1898. 

LIEUTENANT   FRANK  T.   CASPERS. 

It  was  in  the  quiet,  little  village  of  Wyandotte,  in 
eastern  Michigan,  on  the  i7th  of  August,  1868,  that  the 
subject  of  this  sketch  was  born. 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  373 

Two  years  later  Lieutenant  Caspers  began  his  mili 
tary  career  by  ordering  his  parents  to  break  camp — and 
in  heavy  marching  order  proceed  westward  to  a  more 
congenial  clime.  Assembly  sounded,  he  assumed  com 
mand,  faced  them  to  the  West,  gave  "Forward,  march !" 
and  only  halted  them  after  reaching  the  West  Side,  Chi 
cago,  where  their  home  has  since  remained.  The  suc 
cess  of  this  first  tour  of  duty  greatly  encouraged  the 
young  soldier,  and  being  of  a  bimetallic  frame  of  mind, 
he  chose  the  associations  of  a  literary  career  by  entering 
the  Chicago  public  schools  a  few  years  later.  He  has 
no  use  for  a  single  standard,  and  has  steadily  advanced 
to  positions  of  great  responsibility  and  honor.  After 
graduation  from  high  school  he  began  his  service 
in  the  I.  N.  G.  by  enlisting  in  Troop  E,  First 
Cavalry,  November,  1885 ;  was  promoted  Lance  Cor 
poral  December,  1886;  mustered  out  with  Troop  E, 
March,  1887;  mustered  in  with  Company  M,  Second 
Infantry,  May  1887;  promoted  Corporal,  June,  1887; 
Sergeant,  December,  1888;  First  Sergeant,  April  1891 ; 
elected  Second  Lieutenant,  February,  1892;  and  re 
signed  May,  1892.  During  this  time  he  was  associated 
in  a  reportorial  capacity  with  various  Chicago  dailies, 
and  also  as  a  traveling  newspaper  man.  He  was  also 
associated  for  six  years  with  Henry  Barrett  Chamber 
lain  in  editing  the  Guardsman,  a  National  Guard  jour 
nal.  The  excitement  incident  to  breaking  out  of  hos 
tilities  with  Spain  rekindled  his  ardor  and  devotion  to 
military  matters,  resulting  in  his  reenlistment  in  Com 
pany  M,  Second  Illinois  Vol.  Infy.  He  entered  the 
volunteer  service  as  Quartermaster- Sergeant  of  his 
company,  and  was  soon  further  honored  by  accepting 
a  commission  to  fill  the  first  vacancy  occurring  in  his 
battalion,  that  as  Second  Lieutenant  of  Company  K. 


374          HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

This  increase  in  responsibility  and  trust  gave  increased 
opportunities  of  serving  the  regiment,  and  he  may  well 
feel  proud  of  his  success  and  his  popularity  among 
officers  and  enlisted  men.  His  fondness  for  athletics 
led  to  the  organization  of  the  Second  Regiment  Athletic 
Association,  of  which  he  was  one  of  the  chief  promoters 
and  First  Vice-President.  He  was  also  one  of  the 
original  organizers  of  the  non-commissioned  officers' 
association,  and  is  Quartermaster  of  the  Second  Infan 
try  Camp  Fire  Association.  Lieutenant  Caspers  is  a 
single  man,  and  says  he  has  been  too  busy  in  his  past 
life  to  think  of  such  matters,  but  admits  that  on  many  a 
lonely  evening  in  Cuba  he  did  think,  but — time  will  tell. 

COMPANY    HISTORY. 

Company  K  was  originally  Troop  B,  First  Cavalry, 
I.  N.  G.,  and  was  organized  in  1879.  Before  the  com 
pletion  of  the  old  First  Cavalry  Armory  on  Michigan 
avenue,  the  company  drilled  at  the  old  armory  on  Van 
Buren  and  Dearborn  streets.  The  troop  participated 
in  the  famous  "Battle  of  Buffalo  Rock,"  at  the  annual 
encampment  of  the  I.  N.  G.  at  Ottawa,  111.,  in  the  sum 
mer  of  1885,  and  continued  to  be  Troop  B  until  May, 
1887,  when  Troops  A,  B,  D,  and  E  were  consolidated 
with  the  Second  Infantry,  I.  N.  G.,  and  designated 
Companies  I,  K,  L,  and  M  respectively.  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Henry  B.  Maxwell  and  Major  Frank  Logan 
were  at  different  times  commanders  of  Troop  B,  and 
Major  Logan  was  promoted  from  Captain  of  Company 
K  to  Major  of  the  Third  Battalion.  Even  in  the  old 
cavalry  days  the  company  was  noted  for  its  soldierly 
qualities  and  excellence  in  drill,  and  during  the  great 
railroad  strikes  of  1894  the  company  performed  valiant 


375 


HISTORY    OF   THE   SECOND    REGIMENT 

service  to  the  state  in  the  interests  of  law  and  order, 
and  took  part  in  the  many  exciting  scrimmages  around 
the  Stock  Yards  and  adjacent  districts. 

Captain  Benning,  the  present  company  commander, 
is  a  graduate  from  the  ranks,  having  originally  enlisted 
as  a  private  in  Troop  B,  July,  1886,  and  served  through 
the  successive  grades  until  he  was  promoted  to  his 
present  position. 

April  26,  1898,  the  company,  along  with  the  several 
companies  of  the  regiment,  responded  to  the  call  of  the 
President,  and  reported  at  the  State  rendezvous  at 
Springfield,  111.,  on  the  morning  of  April  27.  The 
company  at  that  time  consisted  of  eighty  men  and  three 
ofBcers,  and  withstood  the  many  vexatious  trials  and 
practice  marches  incidental  to  the  preparation  of  a  regi 
ment  for  active  service;  and  when  the  regiment  left 
Springfield  for  Tampa,  Fla.,  as  was  then  supposed, 
visions  of  glorious  deeds  on  fields  of  battle  were 
indulged  in,  and  it  is  beyond  peradventure  that  no  more 
enthusiastic  or  patriotic  company  ever  left  its  home 
station  for  the  front,  than  did  Company  K  on  that 
cloudy  May  afternoon,  when  the  "Fighting  Second"  left 
Springfield  for  the  front  nearly  1,100  strong. 

The  company  suffered  keenly  the  disappointment  of 
being  "side-tracked"  at  Jacksonville,  and  patiently 
endured  all  the  hardships  of  that  memorable  summer, 
while  camped  among  the  tall  pines  of  the  chief  city  of 
the  Palmetto  State. 

The  sickness  and  deaths  among  the  troops  during 
the  summer  at  Jacksonville  is  a  matter  of  record,  and 
an  evidence  of  the  sturdy  manhood  and  extreme  physi 
cal  health  of  the  company ;  and  a  further  evidence  of 
the  fatherly  care  and  attention  to  the  bodily  and  physical 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  377 

comforts  of  the  men  on  the  part  of  Captain  Benning 
and  his  subalterns,  is  the  fact  that  during  all  this  period 
of  sickness  not  a  death  occurred  in  the  company. 

The  company,  charing  under  the  restraint  of  inactiv 
ity  in  its  summer  camps,  saw  the  "Fall  of  Santiago" 
come  and  go,  and,  true  to  its  training,  uttered  not  a 
word  of  complaint  or  censure,  but  hailed  the  removal 
of  the  Seventh  Corps  to  Savannah,  Ga.,  with  a  deep 
sigh  of  relief.  Savannah  offered  new  fields  for  action 
and  observation ;  and  before  the  novelty  of  the  change 
had  worn  away,  the  welcome  order  came  to  embark  for 
Havana,  Cuba,  the  goal  of  the  Seventh  Corps,  and  all 
the  long,  weary,  sickly  months  of  waiting  were  atoned 
for.  The  company,  with  the  other  companies  of  the 
Third  Battalion,  embarked  on  the  "Mobile"  on  the  even 
ing  of  December  I2th,  and  on  the  morning  of  December 
1 3th  left  Savannah  amid  a  shrieking  of  factory  whistles, 
and  loud  cheering  from  the  crowds  of  people  on  the 
wharves  of  hospitable  Savannah.  A  pleasant  and  un 
eventful  voyage  of  two  days  on  the  blue  waters  of  the 
Atlantic  followed ;  and  the  morning  sunlight  of  Decem 
ber  1 5th  "showed  the  somber  outline  of  Morro  dead 
ahead."  Two  days  later  the  company  disembarked 
and  marched  through  Havana  to  camp. 

The  company  participated  in  the  flag  raising  cere 
monies  of  January  ist,  and  was  one  of  the  four  com 
panies  selected  to  represent  the  Second  Division,  Sev 
enth  Corps,  at  the  memorial  services  held  at  the  Colon 
Cemetery  over  the  graves  of  the  victims  of  the  "Maine" 
on  February  15,  1899. 

Another  feature  of  the  excellent  conduct  of  the  com 
pany  is  the  fact  that,  notwithstanding  all  the  tempta 
tions  and  pit-falls  that  invite  the  unwary  and  careless 


37S          HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

soldier  to  transgress  the  immutable  "Army  Regula 
tions,"  only  one  member  of  the  company,  during  its 
entire  year's  service,  was  unfortunate  enough  to  be 
brought  before  a  general  court-martial ;  and  he  was  con 
victed  of  the  heinous  offense  of  accidentally  killing  a 
mule,  the  property  of  a  Cuban,  and  was  given  a  short 
sentence  in  the  regimental  guard-house. 

During  its  year  of  service  the  company  lost  thirteen 
members  through  discharges  for  various  causes,  two 
by  transfers  to  other  companies  and  three  by  transfers 
to  U.  S.  Hospital  corps,  so  that  at  the  time  of  muster- 
out  but  eighty-seven  remained  of  the  total  of  105  men. 

The  company  also  performed  a  tour  of  Provost  Guard 
duty  while  at  Jacksonville,  and  maintained,  by  virtue 
of  Captain  Benning's  seniority,  the  right  of  the  line  of 
'the  Third  Battalion  to  the  last. 

There  was  but  one  change  of  commissioned  officers, 
this  occurring  in  October,  1898,  when  Second  Lieu 
tenant  Alfred  Luery  resigned,  owing  to  business  and 
domestic  matters  requiring  his  presence  at  home,  and 
Sergeant  Frank  T.  Caspers,  of  Company  M,  was  pro 
moted  to  the  vacancy  thus  caused.  Shortly  after  the 
company's  arrival  in  Havana,  the  Tenth  U.  S.  Infantry 
being  encamped  there,  and  short  of  commissioned 
officers,  owing  to  the  fact  that  numerous  officers  of  that 
command  were  filling  staff  positions  in  the  Volunteer 
Army,  First  Lieutenant  Henry  J.  Freeman,  with  two 
other  Lieutenants  of  the  command,  were  detailed  for 
duty  with  that  regiment,  and  as  a  consequence  the  com 
pany  had  only  two  officers  during  its  stay  in  Cuba. 

The  company  was  also  fortunate  in  securing  good 
non-commissioned  officers,  and  each  and  every  one  of 
them  is  entitled  to  a  full  share  of  the  credit  for  the 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER   INFANTRY  379 


SODA   FOUNTAIN,   HAVANA. 

enviable  record  made  by  the  company.  First  Sergeant 
Oliver  S.  Hopkins  performed  the  trying  and  exacting 
duties  of  his  office  with  tact  and  ability ;  while  Quarter 
master-Sergeant  Wm.  C.  Devlin,  Artificer  Sam'l  Buck 
ingham,  Company  Cook  Corporal  Freeman  B.  Peat, 
Assistant-Cook  "Tommy"  Smith,  and  Company  Clerk 
Corporal  Horace  L.  Daniels  left  nothing  to  be  desired 
in  their  respective  departments,  and  contributed  in  no 
small  measure  to  the  general  health  and  excellence  of 
the  company.  Other  "non-coms"  of  the  company 
whose  abilities  were  recognized  were  Sergeant  Ralph 
L.  Kelly,  who  was  detailed  as  Assistant  Col  or- Sergeant 
of  the  regiment ;  Sergeant  Howard  L.  Saunders,  who 


380          HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

was  detailed  as  Acting  Battalion  Sergeant-Major  and 
Corporal  Wm.  J.  Brummel,  who  acted  as  Provost-Cor 
poral  in  the  corps  Provost-Marshal's  office.  This  list 
might  be  continued  indefinitely  down  through  the 
ranks ;  and  it  is  pleasant  to  be  able  to  say  that  each  and 
every  individual  member  of  the  company  can  return 
to  the  "pursuits  of  peace"  with  a  consciousness  of  a 
duty  well,  honestly,  and  unselfishly  performed,  and 
heartily  and  sincerely  appreciated  by  their  faithful 
servants. 

ROSTER    OF    COMPANY    K. 

Mustered  into  service  May  16,  1898,  at  Springfield,  Illinois. 
OFFICERS. 

ALBIN  A.  BENNING,  Captain. — Mustered  into  service  May  16, 

1898. 
HENRY  J.  FREEMAN,  First  Lieutenant. — Mustered  into  service 

May  1 6,  1898. 
ALFRED  LUERY,  Second  Lieutenant. — Mustered  into  service  May 

16,  1898.— Resigned  Oct.   n,  1898. 
FRANK  T.    GASPERS,    Second   Lieutenant. — Appointed   Nov.   8, 

1898. — Promoted   from    Sergeant. 

OLIVER  S.  HOPKINS,  First  Sergeant. — Appointed  July  26,  1898. 
WILLIAM  C.  DEVLIN,  Q.  M.  Sergeant. 
ROBERT  MANSKE,  Sergeant. 
HOWARD  R.   SAUNDERS,   Sergeant. 

RALPH  L.  KELLY,  Sergeant. — Promoted  July  26,   1898. 
FRANK  OSBORNE,  Sergeant. — Promoted  July  26,   1898. 
EUGENE  D.  HUNGERFORD,  Corporal. 

JOHN  E.   BARNES,   Corporal. — Discharged  Dec.   31.    1898. 
JOHN  EVERET,  Corporal. — Discharged  Nov.  7,   1898. 
WM.  J.  BRUMMEL,  Corporal. — Promoted  Sept.   12,   1898. 
WILLIAM  I.  BOGUE,  Corporal. — Promoted  Sept.  2,  1898. 
EDGAR  R.  SEELEY,  Corporal. 
WM.  J.  ROFERS,  Corporal. 
JOHN  H.  MURRAY,  Corporal. — Promoted  Sept.  2,  1898. 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY 


38' 


HORACE  L.  DANIELS,  Corporal. — Promoted  Dec.  i,  1898. 

IRA  M.  WHITMAN,  Corporal. — Promoted  Jan.  7,  1899. 

LEO  VOGEL,  Corporal. — Promoted  Jan.  7,  1899. 

CHAS.  H.  JARM,  Corporal. — Promoted  Jan.  7,  1899. 

FRANK  HOOVER,  Corporal. — Promoted  Jan.  7,  1899. 

FRANK  E.  GILLETT,  Corporal. — Promoted  Jan.  7,   1899. 

FREEMAN  PEAT,  Cook. 

HERMAN  WOLF,  Artificer. — Discharged  Feb.  5,   1899. 

SAMUEL  M.  BUCKINGHAM,  promoted  to  work  of  Artificer  Dec. 

i,  1898. 

OTTO  BAMBERGER,  promoted  to  work  of  Wagoner  Dec  i,  1898. 
CHAS.  F.  MEINKIN,  Musician. — Transferred  May  24,  1898. 
ERNEST  H.  CARLSON,  Musician. — Transferred  May  24,  1898. 
WM.  R.  POWELL,  Musician. 
IRVING  S.  PAULL,  Musician. 
JAMES  J.  BURKE,  Musician. 


PRIVATES. 


ANDERSON,  BENJAMIN. 
AHRENS,  GEORGE  W. 

Transferred  Jan.  22,  1899. 
BITTER,  ALBERT  F. 
BLOEDORN,  AUGUST  A. 
BERQUIST,  GEORGE  F. 
BERNERO,  JOHN  D. 
BOWBEER,  WILLIAM  S. 
BUTTERS,  LUKE  J. 

Discharged  Jan.  24,  1899. 
CAMPBELL,  DANIEL  W. 
CAMPBELL,  JAMES. 
CUNNINGHAM,  ROBERT  A. 

Discharged  Feb.  5,  1899. 
CLARK,  LYMAN  S. 
CROAK,  JOHN  J. 
CARBRAY,  JOSEPH  H. 
DAVIS,  HOWARD  J. 
DRAYER,  JOHN. 
DUNN,  RICHARD. 
DOWNEY,  THOMAS  J. 


DUDDLES,  WILLIAM  E. 
DRINK  WATER,  JOHN  T. 
EATON,  BERT  C. 
ERLHOFF,  JOHN  F. 
Foss,  CHRISTIAN. 
FRAZIER,  CHARLES  D. 

Discharged  Feb.  3,  1899. 
FLYNN,  EDWARD  T. 
GOLDING,  JOHN. 
GIESEN,  EMIL  D. 
GRUSE,  JOSEPH  A. 
GROVE,  PETER  L. 
HARWOOD,  HENRY. 

Discharged  Sept.  20,  1898. 
HANSEN,  CHARLES  F. 
HACKETT,  CHARLES  H. 
HAGERTY,  PAUL  L. 

Discharged  Sept.  8,  1898. 
JOHNSON,  AXEL  H. 
JOYCE,  DAVID  P. 

Discharged  Feb.  17,  1899. 


382 


HISTORY    OF   THE   SECOND    REGIMENT 


KRUGER,  CHARLES  T. 
KELLER,  RUDOLPH. 
KRIVANEC,  FRANK  P. 
LAIDLEY,  ISAAC  W. 
LOYSEN,  ABRAHAM. 
LEARY,  CORNELIUS. 
LARSEN,  OSCAR. 
LASALLE,  HENRY  L. 
LYMAN,  WILLIAM. 
MEEHAN,  JOHN  M. 

Transferred     to     Hospital 

Corps  Sept.  3,  1898. 
MCCONKEY,  ARCHIE  L. 
MCHARRY,  CHARLES  A. 
NEWMAN,  JAMES. 
O'CONNOR,  JOHN  H. 
O'MALLY,  JOHN. 

Discharged  Feb.  n,  1899. 
PAHNKE,  RICHARD  J. 

Transferred     to     Hospital 

Corps  Sept.  3,  1898. 
PEAT,  JAMES  B. 

Discharged  Jan.  4,  1899. 
PETERSON,  GEORGE  P. 
PETERSON,  PETER. 
PARKER,  JAMES  H. 

Discharged  Aug.  29,  1898. 
PEELICK,  Louis  C. 
REICHOW,  PAUL  J. 


ROCHE,  JAMES  P. 

Discharged  Sept.  12,  1898. 

SHEA,  JOHN  M. 

SCHILLING,  J.  WALTER. 

SIMMONS,  FRANK  W. 

SIMON,  OSCAR  J. 

SMITH,  THOMAS  J. 

SEIGLE,  GEORGE. 

SERSK,  PAUL. 

TILLMAN,  EDWARD  J. 

TULLBERG,  CARL  O. 

TUCKER,  ARTHUR  B. 

THIEBAULT,  FRANCIS  J. 

THRALL,  CHARLES. 

VOSBURG,  RALPH. 

Discharged  March  18,  1899. 

VANDAMARK,  WILLIAM  A. 

WELLS,  WILLIAM. 

WILD,  ARTHUR  H. 

WILKEN,  HENRY. 

WULFF,  WILLIAM. 

WILLIAMS,  DON  D. 
Transferred     to     Hospital 
Corps  Jun  j  24,  1898. 

YOUNG,  CLYDE  F. 

Transferred     to     Hospital 
Corps  June  13,  1898. 

ZSCHERPE,  EDWARD. 


CHAPTER  XXVIII 

COMPANY    L 

CAPTAIN    JOHN    W.    SWATEK 

Born  in  Bohemia,  on  January  16,  1858,  Captain 
Swatek  came,  at  an  early  age,  to  this  country,  and 
received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Chicago. 
Turning  his  attention  to  the  cigar  trade,  he  gradually 
built  up  an  extensive  wholesale  and  retail  business. 
He  married  Miss  Paulina  Meyer,  a  fine  family  of  two 
boys  and  four  girls  being  the  result  of  the  union. 

Captain  Swatek  is  a  Freemason  of  high  degree,  and, 
belonging  to  other  secret  societies,  enjoys  a  wide 
acquaintance  among  their  members,  and  a  degree  of 
popularity  possessed  by  few,  his  geniality  and  bon  cam 
araderie  endearing  him  to  all  who  know  him,  and  to 
none  more  so  than  to  the  men  of  his  command,  who 
turn  to  him  for  counsel  as  to  a  personal  friend,  and 
whose  welfare  he  is  always  ready  to  further  by  any 
means  at  his  command. 

•  Captain  Swatek  is  not  an  old  member  of  the  National 
Guard,  his  commission  as  Second  Lieutenant  dating 
back  to  July,  1897,  only;  but  his  knowledge  of  tactics, 
acquired  with  the  St.  Bernard  Drill  Corps,  ensured  his 
rapid  promotion  to  First  Lieutenant,  and  on  the  resigna 
tion  of  Captain  Quinn  he  was  chosen  to  the  command 
O'f  Company  L  on  its  entering  the  United  States  service 
for  the  Spanish  war. 

A  man  of  fine  physique  and  stately  presence,  Cap- 
383 


HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

tain  Swatek  presented  a  handsome  and  soldierly  appear 
ance  on  parade,  and  drew  forth  much  admiring-  com 
ment.  Indeed,  Company  L  had  reason  to  feel  proud 
of  the  well-set-up  and  officer-like  appearance  of  all  three 
of  its  officers. 

During  the  dark  days  of  sickness  in  Jacksonville, 
when  Company  L  suffered  to  a  degree  out  of  proportion 
to  the  rest  of  the  regiment,  the  solicitude  and  sympathy 
of  the  Captain  was  deeply  felt  and  fully  appreciated  by 
his  men ;  and,  when  in  turn,  typhoid  laid  him  low,  keen 
anxiety  pervaded  the  company,  to  be  succeeded  by 
heartfelt  joy  when  he  was  pronounced  out  of  danger. 

MILITARY    RECORD. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Company  L,  Second  111.  N.  G., 
July  12,  1897;  First  Lieutenant,  Company  L,  Second 
111.  N.  G.,  August  4,  1897;  Captain,  Company  L,  Sec 
ond  111.  Vol.  Infy.,  May  16,  ii 


FIRST  LIEUTENANT  WM.  JACOB  UNFRIED. 

A  native  Chicagoan  by  birth,  for  his  years,  Lieutenant 
Unfried  is  one  of  the  oldest  members  of  the  Second 
Illinois  National  Guard  in  the  service.  Born  March  9, 
1876,  and  educated  in  the  high  schools  of  Chicago, 
at  the  age  of  sixteen  years  he  enlisted  in  the  Second 
I.  N.  G.  Young  though  he  was,  he  manifested  so 
much  zeal  and  ability,  and  such  inborn  faculty  for  the 
acquirement  of  knowledge  of  matters  military,  that  the 
following  year  saw  him  chosen  successively  Corporal 
and  Sergeant ;  and,  after  holding  with  credit  the  posi 
tion  of  First  Sergeant  of  his  company,  he  was  elected 
Second  Lieutenant  August  30,  1897. 

When  the  regiment  was  mustered  into  the  U.  S.  ser 
vice,  the  promotion  to  the  Captaincy  of  First  Lieutenant 


' 


HISTORY  '?HE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

Swatek  paved  fey  to  Lieutenant  Unfried's  well- 

deserved  advi  hit  to  the  rank  of  First  Lieutenant. 

Lieutenant  *d  served  continuously  with  the 

regiment  all  tb  ,the  campaign,  with  the  exception 

of  a  short  leave  jjsence.  He  commanded  the  com 
pany  during  the  ^nce  from  sickness  and  on  leave  of 
Captain  Swatek,  $j  !  proved  his  capability  to  efficiently 
perform  the  duties  «  f  Company  Commander. 

Well  set-up,  and  >f  military  appearance,  he  was  a 
striking  figure  on  parade,  where  he  attracted  much 
attention. 

He  was  detailed  for  a  considerable  period  as  Acting 
Adjutant  of  the  Third  Battalion,  discharging  the  duties 
entirely  to  the  satisfaction  of  Major  Purinton,  com 
manding  the  battalion. 

MILITARY   RECORD. 

Private,  Second  I.  N.  G.,  May  2,  1892  ;  Corporal, 
March  7,  1893;  Sergeant,  August  n,  1893;  First  Ser 
geant,  November  30,  1896;  Second  Lieutenant,  August 
30,  1897;  First  Lieutenant,  Second  111.  Vol.  Infy., 
May  1  6,  1898. 

SECOND    LIEUTENANT   ADOLPH    BAADE. 

Lieutenant  Baade  is  also  a  Chicagoan,  born  August 
8,  1874,  and  educated  at  the  public  schools  of  Chicago. 
He  is  still  unmarried,  and  up  to  the  time  of  joining  the 
United  States  service  held  a  position  as  auditor  with 
the  Western  Electric  Company,  with  which  company 
Lieutenant  Unfried  also  held  a  clerical  appointment. 
Both  officers  joined  the  Second  I.  N.  G.  in  the  same 
month,  and  were  made  Corporals  on  the  same  day. 

The  outbreak  of  the  war  found  Lieutenant  Baade 
holding  the  appointment  of  First  Sergeant  of  Company 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER  \NTRY  37 

L,  an  office  in  which  he  had  disp:          marked  ability, 
and  was  rewarded  by  promotion  tc  acant  Second 

Lieutenancy.     Popular  and  efficie'  non-commis 

sioned  officer,  First  Sergeant  Baa  ]  fully  demon 

strated  his  worthiness  for  commis  d  rank ;  and  his 
elevation  was  exceedingly  gratifyi:  )  his  friends,  the 
entire  company  numbering  themser  ,-j  in  that  category. 
Of  refined  and  gentlemanly  ma'  ners,  and  of  hand 
some  appearance,  Lieutenant  B  .dde  was  eminently 
qualified  to  reflect  credit  upon  any  position  to  which  he 
might  be  called,  and,  had  opportunity  offered,  would 
have  doubtless  received,  as  he  well  merited,  further 
promotion. 

MILITARY    RECORD. 

Private,  Second  I.  N.  G.,  May  25,  1892;  Corporal, 
March  7,  1893;  Sergeant,  July  3,  1894;  First  Sergeant, 
August  30,  1897;  Second  Lieutenant,  Second  111.  Vol. 
Infy.,  May  16,  1898. 

COMPANY    HISTORY. 

The  story  of  Company  L  will  not,  presumably,  differ 
from  the  story  of  any  other  company  in  the  regiment, 
if  we  tell  only  of  things  "militaire" ;  nor  do  the  indi 
viduals  differ  from  those  of  any  other  company.  They 
are  alike. 

There  is  the  man  who  speaks  broken  English,  and 
the  one  who  speaks  as  if  his  had  been  a  goodly  share  of 
schooling.  The  man  with  a  mischievous  grin  con 
stantly  on  his  face,  and  that  sober-looking  individual 
whom  none  can  rightly  judge.  There  is  the  good  sol 
dier  and  the  bad  soldier ;  those  who  have  never  seen  the 
guard  house,  and  those  who  frequent  the  guard  house ; 
the  one  who  always  works  and  never  "kicks/'  and  the 
one  who  seldom  works  and  always  ' 'kicks." 


3  HISTORY    OF    THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

This  cosmopolitan  collection  of  individuals  in  a  com 
pany  finds  no  two  alike ;  and  yet  they  are  all  alike  when 
the  mad  rush  for  "place"  in  the  line  when  mess  call 
sounds.  They  are  all  eager  to  "stand  in"  with  the 
cook  and  get  a  "double  header."  The  company  cook, 
indeed,  ah !  what  a  Czar  he  was,  and  it  always  paid  to 
"stand  in"  with  him.  "A  friend  in  need  is  a  friend 
indeed/'  goes  the  proverb ;  and  what  soldier  was  not  in 
need  when  mess  call  sounded ! 

Now  in  retrospect  the  story  of  L  is  to  members  of 
Company  L  an  ever-to-be-remembered  one.  One  of 
multi-variations  of  the  theme  which  brought  us  into 
existence  as  a  regiment  of  volunteers.  One  where  joys 
and  pathos  have  mingled;  where  the  sufferings  of  "a 
dreary  waiting  camp  life  made  many  a  soldier-boy's 
heart  over-weary;  where  the  thought  of  comrades 
fighting  in  trenches  while  we  were  forced  to  abide  our 
time,,  made  soldiering  such  as  we  had,  a  harder  lot  than 
can  be  imagined.  Our  wish  had  been,  and  remained 
throughout  the  campaign,  for  only  a  chance  to  show  our 
mettle. 

It  was  a  hard  battle  with  us  to  remain  inactive  while 
others  fought  and  gave  their  lives.  That  grand  antici 
pation  which  had  been  ours  in  Springfield,  111.,  remained 
ours  until  even  after  peace  had  been  declared  while 
we  lay  in  Jacksonville,  Fla.,  and  with  this  anticipation 
always  in  view,  Company  L  was  always  a  willing  com 
pany  to  drill;  alwavs  anxious  to  learn,  and  faithful 
to  the  lesser  or  greater  duties  of  camp  life ;  a  hardier, 
browner-tanned  company  of  boys  did  not  exist.  Robust 
in  health  were  they  all,  and  during  the  first  two  months 
at  Jacksonville,  before  the  days  of  fever  that  came  later 
as  an  epidemic,  there  was  not  one  who  thought  of 
sickness. 


389 


39°          HISTORY    OF   THE   SECOND    REGIMENT 

Sickness,  then,  to  us  seemed  ignominous  failure  in 
our  duty.  Perhaps  some  of  us  would  have  acted  differ 
ently  could  we  have  pierced  the  future  and  foreseen  the 
inevitable  that  was  to  come,  and  when  it  did  it  was 
to  make  history  in  the  respective  companies  of  the 
regiment. 

The  reminiscence  of  those  days  is  one  we  look  back 
upon  with  awe.  Then  we  hardly  realized  what  havoc 
the  ravages  of  malaria,  typhoid,  and  intestinal  diseases 
played  among  us.  It  almost  seemed  as  if  we  were  in 
a  stupor — a  dream,  as  it  were,  where,  one  by  one  at 
first,  then  by  two's  or  more,  our  comrades  took  sick 
and  submitted,  going  through  the  various  stages  of  a 
sick  soldier ; — indisposed,  sick  book,  and  answering  sick 
call  in  the  mornings — sick  in  quarters,  sick  in  the  regi 
mental  hospital,  and  then  to  the  Division  Hospital, 
where,  during  the  torturing  days  of  the  hottest  summer 
months,  they  lay  with  only  a  canvas  cloth  between  them 
and  the  direct  rays  of  a  burning  sun. 

How  crowded  were  now  the  wards ;  and  long  and 
weary  were  the  days,  to  lie  with  a  fevered  brow,  and 
listen  to  the  ravings  of  delirious  soldiers.  Or  perhaps 
fate  was  kind  enough  to  ease  our  suffering  a  wee  bit 
by  placing  us  in  a  state  of  semi-consciousness — time 
flew  faster  then.  The  Hospital  Corps  men — the  only 
nurses  available  during  the  first  months — did  all  they 
could,  all  they  knew,  to  help  us,  but  it  is  not  given  to 
man  that  blessed  virtue  of  knowing  how  to  nurse,  and 
their  pardonable  shortcomings  were  many.  All  this 
was,  in  a  measure,  retrieved  with  the  coming  of  female 
nurses,  and  many  a  soldier  of  L  remembers  with  ten 
derness  the  gentle  care  of  his  nurse,  feels  under  the 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER   INFANTRY  39* 

greatest  obligation  to  them,  and,  perhaps,  more  than 
one  "mail  day"  has  found  them  reading  answered  letters 
from  their  nurses. 

That  was  a  soldier's  sickness,  with  its  variations, 
invariably  ending  with  the  gladdening  furlough. 

Over  in  the  company  street  there  was  much  anxiety. 
The  face  of  our  commanding  officer  grew  graver  day 
by  day,  and  his  attention  greater.  His  endeavors  to 
help  us  multiplied,  and  yet  the  boys  dropped  one  by 
one — at  drill,  during  guard  mount,  or  in  their  quarters. 
It  was  no  uncommon  sight  to  see  the  Hospital  Corps 
men  running  to  take  the  limp  form  of  a  weakened  sol 
dier  to  the  hospital  on  a  stretcher,  or,  perchance,  after 
the  evening  meal  was  over  we  found  some  comrade  in 
a  feverish  condition  in  his  tent,  and  took  him  to  the 
hospital.  Thus,  sickness  increased,  and  those  as  yet 
untouched  battled  harder  against  it.  The  word  sick 
ness  was  grating  to  our  ears,  the  sick  call  a  discordant 
sound.  Every  one  endeavored  to  avert  "going  on  the 
sick  book."  Every  one  "bucked"  against  that  ominous 
feeling  of  laxness,  always  indicative  of  fever,  but  withal 
the  company  grew  smaller,  and  on  every  man's  features 
was  depicted  the  question  "who's  next?" 

Men  for  active  duty  grew  scarce;  those  not  in  the 
hospital  were,  a  good  many  of  them,  "sick  in  quarters." 
L  had  been  for  a  long  time  the  healthiest  company  in 
the  regiment,  but  during  the  worst  season,  August, 
September  and  October,  it  dwindled  down  to  the  bot 
tom  of  the  list.  Where  once  we  had  drilled  with  ten 
and  eleven  sets  of  "fours,"  we  now  drilled  with  two, 
and  they  were  at  times  "skeleton  fours."  Sixty  per 
cent  of  L  was  down  sick  or  on  sick  furlough — a  formid- 


392          HISTORY    OE   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

able  fact — and  yet  we  were  only  one  company  of  twenty- 
five  regiments  that  at  one  time  comprised  the  Seventh 
Army  Corps. 

Those  were  dismal  and  discouraging  days.  Our 
Captain  was  beseiged  by  anxious  inquiries  from  friends 
and  relatives  at  home — every  one  an  urgent  inquiry  as 
to  the  condition  of  a  soldier-son,  brother,  or  sweetheart. 

On  the  2d  of  September  came  the  sad  news  of  L's 
first  death.  Stroebel  was  gone,  and  we  stood  as  if 
stunned.  Stroebel  was  one  of  the  healthiest  and  most 
robust  looking  men  in  our  ranks — a  German,  who  had 
come  to  us  as  a  recruit  in  June,  and  least  of  all  did 
we  think  him  the  first  to  die.  With  military  honors 
we  laid  him  to  rest  in  the  Government  lot,  No.  15,  in 
Evergreen  cemetery,  Jacksonville.  On  the  I4th  Chas. 
Donley,  one  of  two  brothers,  died,  but  his  was  an  unex 
pected  death.  Reported  as  recovering,  while  his  brother 
was  expected  to  die,  he  passed  away,  and  W.  H.  Don- 
ley  lived.  On  the  i8th  Arthur  Connelly,  who,  with  his 
father,  Thomas,  had  enlisted  in  June,  passed  away,  and 
once  more  our  company  was  in  gloom.  These  last  two 
comrades  we  sent  home  to  sorrowing  relatives,  for 
burial.  Again,  on  the  24th,  another  death  among  us ; 
and  now  beside  Stroebel  in  Evergreen  cemetery  lies 
Steffins,  whose  relatives  we  could  not  trace.  Company 
L  was  his  only  known  mourner. 

Coupled  with  the  memory  of  these  four  dead  com 
rades  are  many  incidents  we  are  wont  to  remember. 
Fine  lads,  all  of  them,  and  liked  by  their  comrades,  they 
will  always  be  remembered.  Perhaps  some  of  us  think 
Stroebel's  death  was  premature.  He  did  not  realize  his 
condition,  and  so  when  one  morning  he  answered  sick 
call,  he,  in  his  broken  English,  could  not  make  the  sur- 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  393 

geon  understand,  and  when  it  was  suggested  that  per 
haps  he  could  go  on  duty,  replied,  "  Ya,  may  pe  so ;  may 
pe  I  get  petter  if  I  vork  a  leetle,"  and  went  "on  duty." 
L  was  then  doing  Provost  Guard  duty  in  the  city  of 
Jacksonville,  being  quartered  on  the  third  story  of  a 
business  building,  and  when  Stroebel  came  to  us  we 
carried  him  up  stairs,  so  weak  was  he.  A  night  or 
two  later  we  carried  Stroebel  and  Donlevy  down  stairs 
to  an  ambulance.  We  carried  Stroebel  again  shortly 
afterward,  but  then — we  were  pallbearers. 

"I  don't  claim  any  education  to  speak  of,"  Charlie 
Donlevy  would  say,  with  that  gleam  in  his  eye  betoken 
ing  wit,  "but  I  always  hold  my  own  in  an  argument. 
No  matter  what  you  are  arguing,  if  you  don't  under 
stand  the  other  fellow,  or  know  what  he's  talking  about, 
if  you  think  he  is  getting  the  best  of  you,  just  shake 
your  head  as  if  you  knew  it  all,  and  say,  'Oh,  no  ;  that's 
not  so ;  that's  wrong,'  or  say  that  you  tell  him  he  lies, 
and  he  will  start  all  over  again,  and  give  up  at  last." 

That  was  Donlevy  always.  Perhaps  some  of  us 
remember  him  once  as  he  practiced  this,  his  debater's 
art,  on  a  comrade,  who  was,  as  he  claimed,  an  atheist. 
There  had  been  much  said,  pro  and  con,  in  a  heated 
argument  as  to  whether  there  was  a  heaven  and  hell, 
or  not.  The  atheist,  heated  and  enthusiastic ;  Donlevy, 
cool  and  ready  for  his  "Oh,  no  ;  that's  not  so."  Donlevy 
said  there  were  such  places.  His  opponent  said  "no," 
and,  at  length,  asked  Donlevy  to  answer  conscientiously 
his  question,  "Charlie,  do  you  really  believe  there  is  a 
heaven?"  and  Charlie  answered  at  once  "Oh,  —  yes," 
which  brought  the  listeners  to  an  uproar,  and  the  argu 
ment  stopped. 

Donlevy  died  while  his  brother  William  lay  ill  at  the 


394         HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

hospital,  and  to  keep  his  death  a  secret  was  a  hard 
though  necessary  duty  toward  William.  This  was  the 
dark  side  of  Company  L's  story. 

Company  L  was  a  closely  related  one.  Of  brothers 
there  were  the  Donlevys,  Davises,  Furstenbergs,  and 
Porters.  There  were  a  father,  son,  and  an  uncle  also 
enlisted.  The  men,  too,  were  allowed  to  choose  their 
tent  mates  instead  of  being  placed  alphabetically,  and 
this  helped  to  make  the  ties  of  friendship  more  binding. 
Of  the  relatives  there  is  but  one  set  left.  One  of  the 
Furstenbergs  and  one  of  the  Davis  brothers  were  dis 
charged.  Chas.  Donlevy  died ;  William  was  discharged, 
and  Arthur  Connelly  died,  too,  leaving  the  father  and 
uncle  alone.  The  Porter  brothers  are  now  all  there 
are  left  of  the  many  brothers. 

From  the  Lieutenants  down  there  is  a  crowd  of  sol 
diers  who  have  played  together  as  boys,  and  worked 
together  as  men  for  one  firm,  and  now  are  soldiers  to 
gether.  All  this  tended  to  make  Company  L  one  where 
the  best  of  feeling  existed. 

Chronologically,  the  story  of  Company  L  is  identical 
with  that  of  the  regiment  in  most  details.  It  has  been 
one  of  the  cogs  in  the  regimental  wheel,  working  in 
unison  with  the  other  companies.  On  the  I4th  of  Aug 
ust  the  company  was  detached  from  the  regiment,  mov 
ing  to  the  business  portion  of  Jacksonville  to  do  Provost 
Guard  duty,  under  Major  Harrison.  Staying  there 
about  ten  days,  L  had  its  representatives  in  the  regi 
ment  of  picked  men  from  the  Seventh  Army  Corps 
at  the  dedication  of  the  Confederate  soldiers'  monu 
ment  in  Jacksonville.  The  company  made  up  from  the 
Second  Illinois  was  commanded  by  L  company's  com 
mander,  Captain  J.  W.  Swatek.  An  honor,  indeed,  to 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  395 

all  Northerners.  From  L  the  Third  Battalion  had  one 
of  its  representatives  at  the  recruiting  station  in  Chi 
cago,  111.  It  had  the  honor  of  "escorting  the  colors" 
reviewed  by  General  Lee,  and  was  greatly  honored  in 
being  one  of  the  companies  of  the  Third  Battalion 
which  represented  the  Second  Division,  Seventh  Army 
Corps,  at  the  impressive  ceremonies  on  the  anniversary 
of  the  explosion  of  the  "Maine."  Marching  to  Colon 
cemetery  where,  in  the  greatest  simplicity,  the  living 
paid  homage  to  the  dead  heroes  of  the  ill-fated  Maine, 
Major  Purinton  could  justly  be  proud  of  his  battalion 
on  that  day.  In  fact,  we  are  sure  he  was  proud  of  his 
four  companies,  for  that  evening  we  heard  "Papa"  Pur 
inton  talk  to  our  Captain,  as  he  was  wont  to  talk  when 
pleased : 

"Jawn,"  he  would  sav,  "Jawn,  we  looked  pretty  good 
to-day,"  and  Jawn  would  say,  "Have  a  cigar,  Major," 
which  "Papa"  always  did. 

From  the  ranks  of  Company  L  the  Regimental 
Nations!  Color  Bearer  Sergeant  was  appointed,  and 
this,  too,  was  a  creditable  honor  for  L. 

On  the  1 8th  of  February,  while  in  Cuba,  Company 
L  reported  once  more  to  Major  Harrison  for  Provost 
duty,  camping  at  Quemados,  a  pretty  town  of  gardens 
and  grand  old  buildings  of  quaint  architecture.  It 
was  in  the  neighborhood  of  this  town  that  Captain 
Sigsbee  rode  a  few  nights  before  the  destruction  of  his 
ship  and  was  hissed  on  all  sides.  A  different  spirit  is 
now  visible,  for  Company  L  will  long  remember  the 
kindness  of  the  Quemado>s  people.  Its  poor  will,  I 
think,  also  remember  us,  for,  from  the  back  of  the  com 
pany  kitchen,  more  than  one  family  was  fed  from  the 
scraps  and  leavings  of  the  soldiers'  mess.  There  was 


396          HISTORY    OF   THE   SECOND    REGIMENT 

always  a  crowd  of  yelling  natives  and  children  assem 
bled  there  at  meal  times,  and  there  it  was  that  "pan 
cakes"  received  the  name  of  "ponchos,"  or  "blankets." 
Some  of  L's  mischievous  members  taught  the  begging 
Cubans  to  call  "pancakes"  "poncho,"  and  every  morn 
ing  came  the  cry,  "Mita,  mita,  gi-me  poncho — gi-me 
blanket." 

La,  Playa,  a  small  seaport  town  below  Quemados, 
was  guarded  by  a  squad  from  Company  L.  La  Venta 
Springs,  which,  on  account  of  its  pestilent  fleas,  was 
nick-named  "Fort  Flea,"  one  of  the  many  sources  of 
Havana's  water  supply — a  fine  work  of  engineering 
about  twelve  miles  from  Quemados — was  also  guarded 
by  a  detail  from  L.  The  United  States  Paymaster's 
headquarters  and  the  Quemados  jail  were  later,  to 
gether  with  La  Venta  Springs,  places  that  L  guarded. 
L  remained  on  Provost  duty  until  March  28,  1899,  when 
it  was  relieved. 

On  the  29th  came  the  orders  to  leave  for  the  States, 
and  on  that  date  we  broke  camp  and  proceeded  to  the 
San  Jose  docks  in  Havana  and  embarked  on  the  Plant 
line  steamer  "Olivette"  with  Company  C,  our  regi 
ment,  amid  the  cheers  of  the  "Jackies"  of  the  U.  S.  S. 
"Resolute"  and  the  playing  of  the  Commodore's  band 
on  that  ship,  steamed  out  of  the  harbor  which  some 
months  before  we  triumphantly  had  entered.  L  and 
C  arrived  at  Tampa,  Fla.,  the  evening  of  the  3oth 
of  March,  after  the  usual  work  of  fumigation  at 
the  fumigating  station,  not  much  the  worse  for 
this  or  from  the  trials  of  seasickness  on  the  way 
across,  and  by  rail  proceeded  to  Augusta,  Ga.,  by 
way  of  Savannah,  and  went  into  camp  waiting  the 
arrival  of  the  rest  of  the  regiment,  the  last  of  which 


397 


39^          HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

joined  us  on  the  5th  of  April.  Thus  the  regiment  was 
once  again  wholly  united  at  Camp  McKenzie. 

During  the  period  previous  to  the  fever  epidemic, 
there  had  been  crowded  tents  of  good-natured  soldier- 
lads,  who  sang  in  the  twilight  and  evenings  between 
"retreat"  and  "taps,"  who  pranced  around  like  colts 
during  the  days.  Later  there  came  a  time  of  down- 
heartedness  and  gloom  permeated  every  man's  words 
and  actions.  There  was  a  vacancy  in  every  tent;  the 
songs  were  gone — the  joking  done.  During  that  time, 
however,  every  man's  nerve  was  tested.  That  which 
was  best  in  a  man  came  out  on  top  then,  as  in  sympathy 
a  soldier  helped  a  comrade  while  ill  at  the  hospitals  or 
in  quarters,  visiting  him  whenever  permissible,  and 
bringing  him  the  delicacies  allowed.  Then  came  a 
period  of  almost  inactivity,  as  it  seemed.  Comrades 
were  home  recuperating,  and  the  company  waited  its 
reunion.  November  found  them  coming  back,  and 
with  the  Third  Battalion,  on  the  I2th  of  Decem 
ber,  we  embarked  for  Cuba,  all  united  once  more, 
merry  and  expectant  of  what  was  to  be,  after  our  long 
months  of  waiting.  All  united  save  Zeigner,  Sorenson, 
and  Sergeant  Erickson,  who  were  discharged.  A  few 
others  secured  their  discharges  while  the  company  was 
yet  in  the  States.  Once  in  Cuba  the  time  of  happy 
comradeship  recommenced  anew.  The  songs  started 
up,  the  joking  went  the  rounds,  and  L  was  happy  again. 

Camp  routine  slid  along  smoothly ;  there  was  health 
and  cheer  on  every  man's  countenance.  "Water  Tank" 
Smith  sang  his  songs,  improvised  on  any  and  all  provo 
cations.  "Rough  House"  pranced  around,  a  terror  to 
his  tent  as  he  jocosely  teased  his  mess-mates.  Parks 
was  a  "good  soldier"  over  again.  Ross  spoke  Spanish 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  399 

(he  had  studied  in  the  States),  but  failed  to  make  him 
self  understood.  Everybody  bought  cane  knives  and 
called  them  "machetes,"  until  L  resembled  a  walking- 
arsenal. 

Quartermaster  Kiesgen  supplied  our  wants  purchased 
from  the  company  fund,  and  showed  his  economic 
abilities,  for  once,  when  he  decided  to  give  us  a  treat, 
he  bought  some  prunes.  Two  pounds  ought  to  be 
enough,  he  thought,  but  five  pounds  would  more  than 
feed  us  lavishly.  That  night  every  man  got  tivo 
prunes,  and  ever  afterward  Kiesgen  heard  the  cry,  "who 
bought,  the  prunes  ?"  But  Kiesgen  learned. 

"Water  Tank  Smith"  was  one  of  the  detail  who  vol 
unteered  to  lay  water  pipe  from  the  main  pipe  which 
was  to  supply  the  regiment.  Colonel  Young,  of  the 
Engineers,  seemed  to  have  made  it  understood  that 
the  Second  Illinois  detail  should  lay  pipes  toward  our 
regiment,  but  the  pipes  were  headed  toward  the  Texas 
regiment.  Smith,  together  with  the  others,  laid  down 
"their  arms"  and  reported  back  to  the  Second  Illinois, 
relating  the  circumstances  to  Colonel  Moulton.  That 
night  "Water  Tank"  sang  a  song  to  the  air  of  "Break 
the  News  to  Mother"  : 

"In  a  regiment  far  in  Cuba,  the  First  Sergeant  came 
one  day, 

And  said,  'who'll  volunteer  to  lay  some  water  pipe/  he 
sang. 

The  'Top'  had  promised  relief  from  roll-call,  and  'per 
haps  some  extra  pay.' 

T  will/  a  gang  then  shouted,  'although  the  work  be 
hard/  etc — 

And  wound  up  with  the  chorus  : 

"  Just  break  the  news  to  Colonel  Young, 
And  tell  him  that  we'll  all  be  hung 


4°°          HISTORY    OF   THE   SECOND    REGIMENT 

Before  another  inch  of  water  pipe  we'll  lay. 
'Twas  understood  by  us  to-day 
We'd  lay  the  pipe  the  other  way. 
We'll  lay  the  pipe  to  our  reg'ment, 
Or  lay  no  pipe  at  all/' 

Smith  has  a  verse  written  on  every  man  in  the  com 
pany,  and  he  sings  them  gayly.  The  cook,  I  presume, 
did  not  satisfactorily  answer  Smith,  who  sang  some 
thing  about  "double  headers  on  salt,"  and  the  chorus : 

"Bean  soup  for  supper, 
Bean  soup  for  supper,  etc., 
And  that  ain't  no  lie." 

While  on  duty  at  Quemados,  "Rough  House"  had  a 
considerable  honor  thrown  upon  him.  On  the  night  of 
the  anniversary  of  the  commencing  of  the  insurrection 
the  Cubans  had  a  sort  of  festivity.  They  assembled  on 
the  main  street  of  the  town  dressed  in  a  grotesque  man 
ner,  and  formed  a  parade  headed  by  a  Cuban  carrying  a 
transparency.  They  passed  Company  L's  camp,  where 
"Rough  House"  joined  them,  dressed  in  an  undershirt, 
kahki  pants  and  a  pair  of  Cuban  slippers.  He  took  the 
lantern  from  the  Cuban  and  assumed  the  leadership. 
Marching  down  the  street,  stopping  every  few  feet, 
when  the  Cubans  would  form  a  circle  about  "Rough 
House,"  dancing  and  crying  their  "vivas,"  to  which 
"Rough  House"  responded,  and  then  he  took  up 
the  dictatorship  and  called  for  the  hurrahs.  "Viva 
Gomez !"  "Viva  Garcia,"  "Viva  Cuba  Libre !"  he  yelled, 
and  the  Cubans  answered  back  "Viva,"  as  if  their  lives 
depended  on  it.  "Viva  Garcia!  Viva!"  "Viva  John 
Swatek,"  cried  Rough  House,  and  "Viva"  answered 
they.  "Viva  Hinky  Dink,"  he  called  again,  and  was 
answered  by  a  louder  "Viva." 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  401 

By  this  time  a  Cuban  had  deciphered  "Rough 
House's"  cry,  and  the  Cubans  cried  "Viva  John 
Swatek,"  "Viva  Dinky  Hink,"  and  "Rough  House" 
responded.  So  on  through  the  town  "Rough  House" 
exchanged  "vivas"  with  the  Cubans.  When  they  went 
down  on  their  knees  in  a  circle  to  pronounce  a  curse 
upon  Weyler,  who  was  represented  by  a  snake,  made  of 
rags  and  lying  on  the  ground,  "Rough  House"  joined 
in.  "Taps"  sounded,  and  he  was  forced  to  return  to 
camp,  leaving  the  Cubans,  undoubtedly,  to  their  sorrr.w ; 
for  he  made  more  noise  than  the  throng  who  followed 
him. 

There  is  much  to  tell  of  incidents  occurring,  but  space 
forbids.  It  will  all  be  told  when  Company  L/s  mem 
bers  gather  at  reunions,  or  the  comrades  meet  in  after 
years  to  tell  the  "story  of  L"  over  again.  Fond  memo 
ries  will  linger  in  the  minds  of  its  members,  brought 
closer  together  by  a  long  soldier  life.  Ties  of  friend 
ship  have  been  bound  tightly,  and  will  still  closer  be 
bound  as  the  years  roll  on.  The  anticipations  of  grand 
things,  the  life  of  waiting — a  soldier's  hardest  lot ;  the 
reminiscences  of  all  our  camp  experiences ;  the  sad  and 
weary  linked  with  the  joys  of  it  all,  will  remain  as 
memories. 

Custer's  command  lives — all  regular  army  organiza 
tions  live — new  members  walk  in  the  steps  of  older 
heroes,  but  a  volunteer  regiment  is  born — lives  glori 
ously,  perhaps,  and  then  dies ;  and  with  this  class  Com 
pany  L  is  now  only  a  memory.  The  L  that  we  knew 
will  never  live  again,  but  its  memory  will. 


402          HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

ROSTER    OF    COMPANY    L. 

Mustered  into  service  May  16,  1898,  at  Springfield,  Illinois. 

OFFICERS. 

JOHN  W.   S WATER,   Captain.— Mustered  into  service  May   16 
1898. 

WILLIAM  J.  UNFRIED,  First  Lieutenant.— Mustered  into  service 

May  1 6,   1898. 
ADOLPH    BAADE,    Second   Lieutenant. — Mustered    into    service 

May  1 6,  1898. 

JULIUS  H.  FURSTENBERG,  First  Sergeant. 
SAMUEL  T.  HUNTER,  Sergeant. 
CHARLES  WIGCER,  Sergeant. 
ANTON  F.  SORENSON,  Sergeant. 
FLORENCE  K  KIESGEN,  Q.  M.  Sergeant. 
ADOLPH  ERIKSON,  Sergeant. 
GEORGE  F.  AHLBORN,  Corporal. 
IVA  H.  MORGAN,  Corporal. 
JOHN  J.  HAZLITT,  Corporal. 
JAMES  W.  FITZ  PATRICK,  Corporal. 
HUMEOLD  VON  HORN,  Corporal. 
THOMAS  VAN  LEAR,  Corporal. 

EDWIN  S.  McGiNNis,  Corporal.— Promoted  July  3,  1898. 
FRANK  G.  MILLER,  Corporal.— Promoted  July  3,  1898. 
ELMER  C.  Ross,  Corporal. — Promoted  July  3,  1898. 
JOHN  CAUL,  Corporal.— Promoted  July  3,   1898. 
BRUNO  BRUNNER,  Corporal.— Promoted  July  3,  1898. 
CHARLES  S.  SHREVE,  Artificer. 
HERMAN  LEMKE,  Wagoner. 

PRIVATES. 

ARNDT,  ALBERT  F.  CHEER,  CHARLES  E. 

BARBER,  JOSEPH.  COLT  MAN,  GEORGE  F. 

BAYER,  JOSEPH.  COLTERMAN,  STANLEY  M. 
BELL,  Gus.  Discharged  Sept.  20,  1898. 

BRANUSHAGEN,  F.  C.  CONNELLY,  THOMAS. 

BRANSS,  HUGO.  CONNELLY,  ARTHUR. 
BREIDT,  HENRY  W.  Died  Sept.  14,  1898. 

BUELL,  WALTER  S.  CONNERS,  FRANK  M. 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY 


4°3 


CONSELYEA,    WlLLIAM    A. 

DAHL,  BALSER  F. 
DAUTEL,  CYRUS  S. 
DAVIS,  GEORGE  B. 
DAVIS,  PERCY. 

Discharged  Sept.  20,  1898. 
DERRY,  HARRY. 
DETTMAN,  Louis  J. 
DEUTSCHER,  WILLIAM. 
DIXON,  EUGENE. 
DON  LEY,  CHARLES. 

Died  Sept.  14,  1898. 
DONLEVY,  WILLIAM  C. 
DONLEY,  WILLIAM  H. 
EDWARDS,  EDWARD  J. 
EGAN,  EDWARD  H. 
ESSIG,  CHARLES  G. 
FELT,  LOREN  M. 

FURSTENBERG,    ALEX. 

Discharged  Oct.  u,  1898. 
FLEMMING,  FRED  C. 
FOOTE,  HENRY  W. 
GOSSET,  HENRY  A. 
GRANAHAN,  JOHN  A. 
GREIG,  JOHN  W. 
GUNDERSON,  GEORGE  B. 
HAMMOND,  THOMAS  O. 
HANCOCK,  JOHN  D. 
HANSEN,  JULIUS  H. 
HEDMAN,  MAGNUS  E. 
HEUBACH,  HENRY. 
JORGENSON,  JOHN. 
JOSEPHSON,  JOSEPH. 
KAHL,  OTTO. 
KERBY,  FREDERICK  A. 
KNAPPMAN,  EDW.  R. 


LA  FORCE,  BIRDSALL. 
LONGSTRETH,  CHARLES  R. 
MANEKE,  ROBERT  E. 
MORRISON,  JOHN  D. 

Discharged  Sept.  20,  1898. 
O'BRIEN.  JOHN. 
PARKS,  FRANK. 
PATZMAN,  JULIUS. 
PHILLIPS,  JOHN  C. 
PORTER,  GEORGE. 
PORTER,  JOSEPH. 
QUEENAN,  BERT  E. 
ROBINSON,  WILLIAM  F. 
RUTZEN,  FRED  B. 
SAUNDERS,  WILLIAM  A. 

Transferred  to  Q.  M.  Dept. 

May    16,    1898.      Appointed 

Regimental   Q.    M.    Sergeant 

Jan.  25,  1899. 
SCHOEKEL,  FRED  J. 
SMITH,  AUGUST  C. 
SMITH,  WILLIAM  R. 
STRODE,  HERBERT  E. 

Discharged  Aug.  i,  1898. 
STROBEL,  HERMAN. 

Died  Sept.  2,  1898. 
STEFFINS,  HENRY. 

Died  Sept.  24,  1898. 
SMITH,  GEORGE  A. 
SORENSON,  EMIL  S. 
STATHAM,  ARTHUR  J. 
THEMES,  EVERETT. 
TREITZ,  PETER. 
WAUGH,  FRANK. 
WERNER,  WILLIAM. 
ZEIGNER,  PAUL. 


CHAPTER  XXIX 

COMPANY   M 

CAPTAIN    JOHN    McFADDEN 

Captain  McFadden  is  probably  the  best  known  and 
one  of  the  most  popular  officers  in  the  regiment.  He 
was  born  in  New  York  City,  August  13,  1862,  and  later 
with  his  family  removed  to  Cambridge,  Henry  Co.,  111. 
He  received  his  early  education  in  the  public  and  high 
schools  of  these  two  cities,  and  at  his  majority  engaged 
in  a  general  mercantile  business  in  Cambridge  with  his 
father.  His  business  ability  was  soon  after  recognized 
by  his  appointment  as  cashier  of  the  local  bank,  and  his 
military  career  dates  from  November  21,  1879,  when 
he  enlisted  as  a  private  in  Company  E,  Fourteenth  Bat 
talion,  I.  N.  G.  This  company  was  subsequently  Com 
pany  D,  Sixth  Infy.  I.  N.  G.,  and  in  May,  1881,  he  was 
appointed  Corporal.  July  of  the  same  year  he  was 
promoted  Sergeant,  and  in  October  was  made  First 
Sergeant.  In  June,  1882,  he  was  elected  Second  Lieu 
tenant,  and  in  May  of  the  following  year  was  advanced 
to  the  First  Lieutenancy.  He  was  elected  Captain  June, 
1884,  and  in  1887  was  reflected  for  a  second  term.  In 
August,  1889,  he  was  elected  Major,  his  term  expiring 
in  August,  1894.  About  this  time  he  was  appointed 
cashier  of  the  Internal  Revenue  office  at  Chicago,  and 
removed  to  that  city,  and,  November  19,  1895,  was 
elected  Captain  of  Company  M,  Second  Infy.  I.  N.  G., 

404 


HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

which  rank  he  held  at  the  time  of  the  company's  muster 
into  the  United  States  service,  May  16,  1898. 

Captain  McFadden  is  possessed  of  rare  executive 
ability  and  his  success,  as  shown  by  the  high  state 
of  discipline  and  drill  of  his  company,  was  the 
subject  of  general  remark.  Shortly  after  the  regi 
ment's  arrival  in  Jacksonville,  Fla.,  in  May,  1898, 
he  was  detailed  as  Acting  Depot  Commissary  of 
the  then  growing  Seventh  Army  Corps.  At  this 
time  the  corps  was  being  organized,  and,  with  a 
regiment  arriving  almost  every  day  until  the  total  num 
ber  of  men  he  was  called  upon  to  ration  reached  32,- 
ooo,  his  task  was  no  sinecure  by  any  means.  When  the 
regularly  detailed  depot  Commissary  arrived,  Captain 
McFadden's  splendid  work  was  recognized  by  his  being 
detailed  on  the  staff  of  General  Arnold,  commanding 
the  Second  Division,  Seventh  Corps,  as  Commissary  of 
Subsistence,  and  he  performed  the  duties  of  this  trying 
office  in  the  same  efficient  manner  until  he  was  relieved 
in  September  of  the  same  year. 

His  fame  as  an  executive  officer  spread,  and  upon  his 
return  to  his  company  Colonel  Moulton  detailed  him 
to  take  charge  of  the  regimental  bakery  and  the  regi 
mental  exchange.  His  conduct  of  both  was  the  won 
der  and  admiration  of  the  entire  regiment,  and  up  to 
the  time  of  the  mustering  out  he  continued  in  charge, 
and  through  his  admirable  administration  the  exchange 
paid  into  the  several  company  funds  on  an  average  of 
$150  per  month.  In  January,  1899,  while  the  regi 
ment  was  in  Cuba,  Captain  Thompson,  the  regimental 
Ordnance  Officer  and  Commissary  of  Subsistence,  was 
detailed  as  inspector  of  police  for  the  city  of  Havana, 
and  Captain  McFadden  was  detailed  to  act  in  his  stead, 
and  notwithstanding  the  fact  lie  ever  kept  a  watchful, 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  407 

fatherly  eye  upon  his  own  company,  and  acted  as  regi 
mental  Treasurer  in  addition  to  his  other  duties  in  the 
regimental  bakery  and  exchange,  he  performed  the 
duties  of  all  four  in  a  manner  which  won  for  him  the 
highest  commendation  on  all  sides. 

That  his  ability  is  also  recognized  in  civil  life  is  evi 
denced  by  the  fact  that  he  has  held  the  position  of  cash 
ier  of  the  Internal  Revenue  Office  at  Chicago  all 
through  the  administration  of  President  Cleveland, 
was  re-appointed  under  President  McKinley's  adminis 
tration,  and  was  given  a  one  year's  leave  of  absence  by 
the  Government  to  enable  him  to  "go  to  the  front"  with 
his  regiment. 

Captain  McFadden  is  a  genial,  whole-souled  man, 
and  his  friends  are  legion  in  every  town  the  regiment 
has  encamped  during  its  year  of  service.  He  is  popu 
lar  both  with  the  officers  and  enlisted  men  of  the  regi 
ment,  who  admire  his  sterling  worth  and  ability,  and 
he  can  lay  aside  his  sword  and  resume  the  "pursuits  of 
peace"  with  the  full  knowledge  that  he  has  the  respect 
and  confidence  of  every  man  in  the  "Second  Illinois." 

LIEUTENANT  ANDREW  E.  ERICSON. 

Lieutenant  Ericson  was  born  on  Christmas  day,  1871, 
in  the  city  of  Chicago.  He  received  his  early  education 
in  the  public  schools  of  that  city,  and  later  was  gradu 
ated  from  the  North  Division  High  School.  In  civil 
life  he  is  a  salesman  in  the  employ  of  Armour  &  Co., 
is  married,  and  is  the  father  of  one  child,  a  girl,  aged 
two  years. 

He  enlisted  as  a  private  in  Company  M,  Second  Infy. 
I.  N.  G.,  December  7,  1891,  was  promoted  Corporal 
in  March,  1894,  Sergeant  in  May,  1894,  First  Sergeant 
in  April,  1896,  elected  Second  Lieutenant  May  19,  1896, 


HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

and  was  mustered  into  the  United  States  service  as  First 
Lieutenant  May  16,  1898. 

Although  one  of  the  youngest  officers  in  the  regi 
ment,  Lieutenant  Ericson  was  ever  regarded  as  one 
of  the  most  efficient,  and  his  appetite  for  hard  work  is 
without  limit.  During  the  months  that  Captain  Mc- 
Fadden  was  absent  on  detached  service,  the  command 
of  the  company  devolved  upon  Lieutenant  Ericson,  and 
much  of  the  credit  for  the  high  state  of  drill  and  dis 
cipline  of  the  company  is  due  him  for  his  untiring  and 
efficient  administration  of  the  company  affairs  while  he 
was  in  command.  During  this  time,  Second  Lieu 
tenant  Haussner  was  absent  on  leave,  and  this  left  Lieu 
tenant  Ericson  alone  in  command  of  the  company. 
During  the  regiment's  stay  in  Cuba,  and  notwithstand 
ing  the  fact  that  he  was  the  only  officer  present  for  duty 
with  the  company,  he  acted  as  Judge  Advocate  of  a 
general  court-martial  which  sat  almost  daily  for  two 
months,  and  he  performed  the  duties  of  both  offices  in  a 
manner  which  won  for  him  the  favorable  comment  of 
all  his  brother  officers. 

Lieutenant  Ericson  is  modest  and  unassuming,  and  is 
popular  throughout  the  regiment.  During  the  regi 
ment's  stay  in  Jacksonville,  Fla.,  he  was  presented  with 
a  handsome  sword  and  belt,  suitably  inscribed,  by  the 
members  of  his  company,  as  an  evidence  of  their  respect 
and  esteem. 

LIEUTENANT    ARTHUR   A.    HAUSSNER. 

Lieutenant  Haussner  is  a  native  Chicagoan,  and  was 
born  July  20,  1874.  He  received  his  early  education  in 
the  Chicago  public  and  high  schools,  and  is  a  book 
keeper  by  occupation.  His  military  career  dates  from 
August  7,  1893,  when  he  enlisted  as  a  private  in  Com- 


409 


410          HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

pany  M,  Second  Infy.  I.  N.  G.  May  9,  1894,  he  was 
appointed  Corporal,  and  June  12,  1895,  was  promoted 
Sergeant.  August  6,  1896,  he  was  discharged  by  rea 
son  of  expiration  of  his  term  of  service,  but  immedi 
ately  reenlisted,  and,  September  16  of  the  same  year, 
was  made  First  Sergeant  of  the  company.  When  the 
regiment  was  mustered  into  the  United  States  service, 
May  1 6,  1898,  he  was  mustered  in  as  Second  Lieutenant 
of  the  company,  and  served  as  such  throughout  the 
regiment's  year  of  service.  January  5,  1899,  he  was 
detached  from  the  regiment  and  assigned  to  the  Tenth 
United  States  Infantry,  and  served  with  that  regiment 
until  March  31,  1899,  at  Havana  and  Matanzas,  Cuba. 
The  Lieutenant  is  a  single  man,  and  is  a  resident  of 
the  North  Side,  Chicago. 

COMPANY    HISTORY. 

Company  M  owes  its  origin  to  the  fact  that  a  body  of 
young  men  residing  in  the  region  of  West  Lake  street 
and  Western  avenue  met  in  1879  and  organized  a  Cav 
alry  troop  and  met  for  drills  weekly  at  old  Castle's  Hall, 
at  Lake  and  Paulina  streets.  In  the  early  part  of  1880 
this  troop  was  mustered  into  the  State  service  as  Troop 
E,  First  Cavalry  I.  N.  G.,  with  Farlin  Q.  Ball  as  Cap 
tain.  Captain  Ball  was  subsequently  Judge  Advocate 
on  the  staff  of  Brigadier-General  Fitz-Simons,  of  the 
First  Brigade  I.  N.  G.,  and  is  now  a  judge  of  the  Cir 
cuit  Court  of  Cook  County.  Captain  Ball  was  suc 
ceeded  by  Ingvor  Larson,  an  ex-Captain  of  the  Swedish 
Army,  who  in  turn  was  succeeded  by  Captain  James  E. 
Drum.  Hugh  McLachlan  was  the  next  Captain  of  the 
company,  and  he  was,  in  1886,  succeeded  by  J.  R.  Wil 
liams,  who  was  Captain  of  the  company  at  the  time  of  its 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  411 

muster  into  the  service  as  Company  M,  Second  Infy. 
I.  N.  G.,  in  May,  1887.  Captain  Williams  was  twice 
offered  a  majority  in  the  regiment,  and  subsequently 
resigned  for  business  reasons.  He  was  succeeded  by 
Captain  W.  B.  Alexander,  who  resigned  and  was  suc 
ceeded  by  Captain  John  McFadden,  November  19,  1895. 

The  company,  at  the  President's  call  for  troops, 
reported  with  the  regiment  at  Springfield,  111.,  April  27, 
1898,  and  was  mustered  into  the  United  States  service 
May  1 6th  with  the  maximum  eighty-one  men  and  three 
officers.  An  evidence  of  the  sturdy  caliber  of  the  men 
is  shown  in  the  fact  that  in  the  medical  examination 
previous  to  its  muster  into  the  Volunteer  service,  but 
three  men  were  rejected. 

The  officers  mustered  were  Captain  John  McFadden  ; 
First  Lieutenant  Andrew  E.  Eriscon,  and  Second  Lieu 
tenant  Arthur  A.  Haussner.  The  history  of  Company 
M,  subsequent  to  May  16,  1898,  is  the  history  of  the 
regiment.  It  participated  in  all  the  short-lived  joy  at 
the  prospect  of  getting  to  the  front,  and  endured  all 
the  hardships  of  the  summer  camp  at  Jacksonville,  and 
later  at  Savannah,  Ga.,  and  Havana,  Cuba.  The  com 
pany  was  ever  recognized  as  one  of  the  best  in  the  regi 
ment,  and  was  noted  for  the  extreme  good  nature  and 
harmony  that  prevailed  among  its  members,  who  insti 
tuted  that  delightful  and  interesting  function  known  as 
a  ''rough  house."  This  consists  of  an  over-exuberance 
of  spirits,  sufficient  in  quantity  to  impel  the  participants 
to  make  a  flank  attack  on  a  luckless  tent  of  sleeping  sol 
diers,  and  in  an  instant  the  balmy  Southern  air  is  mixed 
up  with  a  conglomeration  of  rudely  awakened  sons  of 
Mars,  canvas  tents,  regulation  blankets,  and  the  several 
and  essential  components  of  a  soldier's  wearing  apparel, 


412  HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

uniform  and  equipment.  The  regulations  make  no  pro 
vision  for  occurrences  of  this  nature,  and,  as  a  result, 
the  "powers  that  be"  were  not  called  upon  to>  perform 
that  painful  operation  known  as  "shooting  at  sunrise" 
upon  any  of  the  frisky  members  of  "Noisy  M." 

Captain  McFadden  is  a  man  of  recognized  executive 
ability,  and  to  this  fact  may  be  attributed  in  no  small 
measure  the  enviable  record  made  by  Company  M. 
Shortly  after  the  company's  arrival  at  Jacksonville,  he 
was  appointed  Acting  Division  Commissary,  and  for 
four  months  performed  the  arduous  duties  of  that  office 
in  a  manner  that  not  only  reflected  credit  upon  his  regi 
ment  and  himself,  but  upon  the  entire  army  of  Volun 
teer  soldiers  as  well.  The  proper  administration  of 
affairs  in  the  commissary  department  of  an  army  prob 
ably  calls  for  more  attention  to  detail  and  exercise  of 
judgment  than  any  department  of  the  army,  and  Cap 
tain  McFadden  is  entitled  to  full  credit  for  his  able  con 
duct  of  the  office.  During  his  detachment  from  the 
company,  the  command  devolved  upon  First  Lieutenant 
Ericson,  who,  although  a  young  man,  proved  what  a 
live  Chicago  boy  can  do  when  given  the  opportunity, 
by  administering  the  affairs  of  the  company  in  a  man 
ner  that  called  forth  commendation  from  "Headquar 
ters"  and  an  approval  from  the  members  of  the  com 
pany  in  the  shape  of  the  presentation  of  a  beautiful 
sword  made  him  by  the  enlisted  men  of  the  company. 

During  its  year  of  service  the  company  lost  but  one 
man  by  death.  Private  Jerry  Leyhan,  an  amiable  and 
much-beloved  comrade,  was  the  first  and  only  victim  of 
the  grim  reaper,  and  he  succumbed  to  an  attack  of  the 
dread  typhoid  early  in  October.  His  remains  were 
sent  home  to  his  sorrowing  sister  in  New  York  State 


4*3 


4H  HISTORY    OF    THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

in  charge  of  Corporal  Emmett  McFadden,  who  was  fur 
nished  full  power  and  means  to  see  that  his  fallen  com 
rade  was  laid  away  as  becomes  a  hero  and  a  soldier. 

No  history  of  Company  M  would  be  complete  with 
out  a  full  acknowledgment  of  the  unselfish  loyalty, 
cheerful  obedience,  and  the  excellent  esprit  du  corps  of 
each  and  every  individual  member  of  the  company 
being  made,  and  it  is  but  fair  to  these  excellent  fellows 
to  assert  that  no  more  enthusiastic,  patriotic,  uncom 
plaining  and  loyal  body  of  men  ever  responded  to  the 
call  of  their  country,  prepared  to  "do  or  die,"  than  did 
the  splendid  boys  of  "M." 

The  company  has  ever  been  noted  for  its  high  state 
of  efficiency,  and  as  Troop  E  and  Company  M  it  was 
always  kept  at  a  very  high  standard,  and  regularly 
entered  competitive  drills  and  gave  exhibition  drills 
throughout  the  state.  It  also  has  contributed  possibly 
more  officers  to  the  I.  N.  G.  and  volunteer  service  than 
any  company  in  the  regiment.  The  following  officers 
were  at  one  time  or  another  members  of  Company  M  : 
Captain  F.  W.  Laas,  Regimental  Quartermaster;  Cap 
tain  Fred  E.  Koehler,  Company  I ;  Lieutenant  Willis 
C.  Metcalf,  Company  I ;  Lieutenant  B.  S.  Purinton, 
Company  I ;  Ex-Lieutenant  A.  E.  Luery,  Company  K, 
and  Lieutenant  Frank  T.  Caspers,  Company  K. 

The  non-commissioned  officers  of  the  company  are  an 
exceptionally  intelligent  body  of  men,  and  are  responsi 
ble,  in  a  great  measure,  for  the  splendid  record  made 
by  the  company.  First  Sergeant  Robert  Y.  Wallace 
performed  the  trying  duties  of  his  office  with  discretion 
and  ability  and  was  ably  seconded  by  Quartermaster 
Sergeant  George  H.  Pratt  and  Sergeants  Crowell, 
Dowd,  Prescott,  and  Toolen,  and  Corporals  Johnson, 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  415 

Iman,  Purcell,  Brown,  Haussner,  Slater,  Sievert,  Mc- 
Fadden,  Sheesley,  Fenzel,  Halvorsen,  and  Wolf. 
Others  who  contributed  to  the  success  of  the  company 
are  Artificer  Magnuson,  Wagoner  Almquist,  and  last, 
but  not  least,  Company  Cook,  Corporal  Theodore  Kan- 
dul,  who  was  an  important  factor  in  keeping  the  com 
pany's  sick-list  down  to  the  minimum. 

That  the  ability  of  the  company  was  not  lost  sight 
of  is  evidenced  by  the  fact  that  Captain  McFadden  was 
selected  to  act  as  acting  commissary  officer,  ordnance 
officer,  treasurer  of  post  council,  officer  in  charge  of 
regimental  bakery,  and  regimental  exchange  during  the 
regiment's  stay  in  Cuba,  and  performed  the  various 
and  exacting  duties  of  these  offices  in  a  manner  which 
reflected  high  credit  upon  himself,  as  an  officer  of  un 
usual  ability  and  executive  power.  During  the  stay  of 
the  regiment  in  Cuba  Second  Lieutenant  Haussner  was, 
in  the  absence  of  a  number  of  officers  on  staff  duty, 
detailed  with  the  Tenth  U.  S.  Infantry  for  duty  in 
Havana,  \vhich  left  Lieutenant  Ericson  alone  in  com 
mand  of  the  company,  and,  notwithstanding  this  fact, 
he  ably  and  successfully  fulfilled,  for  three  months,  the 
duties  of  Judge  Advocate  of  a  general  court-martial, 
which  sat  almost  daily  during  the  regiment's  stay  in 
Cuba. 

Other  members  of  the  company  whose  abilities  were 
recognized,  were :  Corporal  M.  J.  Purcell,  who  was 
detailed  for  duty  with  the  Provost  Marshal  of  the 
Seventh  Corps  during  its  stay  in  Jacksonville  and  Sav 
annah  ;  Sergeant  C.  J.  Crowell,  who  was  temporarily 
detailed  as  acting  Battalion  Sergeant-Major ;  Private 
George  Conway,  who  was  detailed  as  stenographer  at 
Seventh  Corps  headquarters,  and  at  one  time  the  com- 


HISTORY    OF   THE   SECOND    REGIMENT 

pany  had  a  representative  in  the  regimental  butcher 
shop,  the  regimental  bakery,  one  in  charge  of  the  regi 
mental  stables,  three  in  the  regimental  exchange,  one  in 
the  commissary  department,  one  in  the  Quartermaster's 
department,  two  in  the  regimental  hospital.  The  com 
pany  lost  all  told,  during  its  year  of  service,  five  men 
by  transfer  to  other  companies  and  to  the  Hospital 
Corps,  U.  S.  A.,  and  eighteen  men  by  discharge  for 
physical  disability  and  by  favor. 

The  company  was  further  honored  with  the  distinc 
tion  of  being  the  first  company  of  United  States  troops 
to  do  provost  guard  duty  in  the  City  of  Havana,  Cuba. 
December  i8th  the  Cerro  district  of  Havana  was  evacu 
ated  by  Spanish  troops  and  the  company  was  detailed 
the  day  following  its  arrival  at  Camp  Columbia  to  take 
possession  of  the  district  thus  evacuated.  The  evacua 
tion  was  attended  by  numerous  riots  and  disorders,  in 
which  several  soldiers  were  shot,  including  a  teamster 
of  the  regiment.  The  company  performed  this  delicate 
duty  in  a  highly  efficient  manner,  which  brought  forth 
the  commendation  of  the  Provost  Marshal. 

Altogether  the  officers  and  men  of  the  company  have 
every  reason  to  be  proud  of  the  record  made  by  "M," 
and  the  officers  wish  the  writer  to  state  that  the  record 
was  made  possible  by  the  hearty  and  willing  coopera 
tion  of  every  individual  member  of  the  company,  whose 
loyalty,  devotion  to  the  interests  of  the  company,  un 
hesitating  obedience,  and  intelligent  conception  of  the 
duties  of  a  soldier — an  American  soldier — were  con 
stantly  a  source  of  extreme  gratification  to  themselves 
and  they  further  desire  to  thank  every  member  of  the 
company  for  "a  duty  well  and  faithfully  done." 


ILLINOIS  VOLUNTEER   INFANTRY  41? 

ROSTER    OF    COMPANY    M. 

Mustered  into  service  May  16,  1898,  at  Springfield,  Illinois. 

OFFICERS. 

JOHN  MCFADDEN,  Captain. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. 

ANDREW  E.  ERICSON,  First  Lieutenant — Mustered  May  16, 
1898. 

ANDREW  A.  HAUSSNER,  Second  Lieutenant. — Mustered  May 
16,  1898. 

WM.  F.  JENKINS,  First  Sergeant. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. — 
Discharged  Nov.  i,  1898. 

ROBERT  Y.  WALLACE,  First  Sergeant. — Mustered  as  Sergeant 
May  16,  1898.— Promoted  Q.  M.  Sergeant  Sept  2,  1898.— 
Promoted  First  Sergeant  Nov.  10,  1898. 

GEORGE  H.  PRATT,  Q.  M.  Sergeant.— Mustered  May  16,  1898.— 
Promoted  Nov.  10,  1898. 

CLARENCE  J.  CROWELL,  Sergeant. — Mustered  May  16,   1898. 

GEORGE  L.  DOWD,  Sergeant. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. 

HARRY  D.  PRESCOTT,  Sergeant. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. — Pro 
moted  from  Corporal  Dec.  27,  1898. 

CLARENCE  A.  TOOLEN,  Sergeant. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. — 
Promoted  Dec.  27,  1898. 

FRANK  T.  CASPERS,  Sergeant. — Discharged  Nov.  8,  1898. 

CARL  O.  JOHNSON,  Corporal. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. 

EMMETT  MCFADDEN,  Corporal. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. 

JOSEPH  SENFTENBURG,  Corporal. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. — 
Transferred  to  U.  S.  Hospital  Corps  July  24,  1898. 

CHAS.  L.  SIEVERT,  Corporal. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. 

Louis  WOLLF,  Corporal. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. — Promoted 
July  i,  1898. 

EDWARD  F.  BROWN,  Corporal.— Mustered  May  16,  1898.— Pro 
moted  July  i,  1898. 

ORLA  H.  IMAN,  Corporal.— Mustered  May  16,  1898.— Pro 
moted  July  i,  1898. 

Louis  N.  KERR,  Corporal.— Mustered  May  16,  1898.— Pro 
moted  July  i,  1898.— Discharged  Dec.  30.  1898. 

MICHAEL  J.  PURCELL,  Corporal. — Mustered  May  16,  1898. — 
Promoted  July  i,  1898. 

HENRY  HALVERSON,  Corporal.— Mustered  May  16,  1898.— Pro 
moted  Sept.  3,  1898. 


418 


HISTORY    OF   THE   SECOND    REGIMENT 


JULIUS  H.  HAUSSNER,  Corporal.— Mustered  May  16.  1898.— 
Promoted  Dec.  27,  1898. 

WM.  M.  SHEESLEY,  Corporal.— Mustered  May  16,  1898.— Pro 
moted  Dec.  27,  1898. 

ALBERT  FENZEL,  Corporal.— Mustered  May  16,  1898. Pro 
moted  Jan.  26,  1899. 

THEODORE  KANDUL,  Corporal.— Mustered  May  16,  1898.— Pro 
moted  Jan.  13,  1899. 

CHAS.  W.  MAGNUSSON,  Artificer.— Mustered  May  16,  1898. 

JAMES  M.  SLATER,  Artificer.— Promoted  Feb.   10,   1899. 

CHAS.  ALMQUIST,  Wagoner.— Mustered  May  16,  1898.— Ap- 
•  pointed  Jan.  13,  1899. 

JOHN  J.  LAIER,  Musician. — Mustered  May  16. — Appointed 
June  27,  1898. 


PRIVATES. 


ARNOLD,  JOHN. 
BOHN,  FREDERICK. 
BRABRANT,  ERNEST. 
BURKE,  EDWARD. 
CARNES,  CHARLES  G. 

Discharged  Jan.  5,  1898. 
CHRISTIAN,  FRANK  A. 

Discharged  Jan.  20,  1899. 
CONGDON,  EARL. 

Discharged  Dec.  29,  1898. 
CARLISLE,  FRANCIS. 
CASPERS,  JOHN  P. 
CHRIST,  JOSEPH  J. 
COLEGROVE,  HARRY. 

Assistant   Cook;    appointed 

Feb.  n,  1899. 
CON  WAY,  GEORGE. 
CUMMINGS,  HARRY. 
DALY,  MICHAEL. 
FAUPEL,  RALPH  W. 
FAY,  JAMES  G. 
GAEDECKE,  AUGUST. 
GUSTAFSON,  AXEL. 


HANSON,  WM.  D. 
HAUSSNER,  CHAS.  JR. 
HEBERG,  OLE. 
HEIMBERGER,  FRED. 
HENNING,  WM.  H. 
HEISS,  FRED. 
HERMSDORF,  JOHN. 
HOLMES,  CHAS.  O. 

Discharged  Nov.  21,  1898. 
HOFMANN,  CHAS. 
JAGLER,  FRANK. 

Discharged  Sept.  24,  1898. 
KASTNER,  CHARLES  H. 

Discharged  Dec.  29,  1898. 
KERR,  Louis  N. 

Discharged  Dec.  30,  1898. 
KERNER,  NICK  J.  H. 
KING,  WALTER. 

Discharged  Jan.  27,  1898. 
KLEIN,  HARRY. 
KOCH,  WM.  C.  A. 

Company     Clerk,    appointed 

Feb.  n,  1899. 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY 


419 


KOTELMAN,  EMIL. 
i-AMPE,  ALBERT. 
LARSON,  AUGUST. 
LAURIA,  ANTONIO. 
LEND,  JOHN  R. 

Discharged  Oct.  17,  1898. 
LEYHAN,  JERRY  P. 

Died  Oct.  12,  1898. 
LEWIS,  JOSEPH. 
LINDSTROM,  RUDOLPH. 
MAERKER,  CHAS.  J.  L. 

Transferred  U.   S.  Hospital 

July  26,  1898. 
MADDEN,  THOS. 
MARQUARDT,  HERMAN. 
MARTWICK,  RICHARD. 
MAWBY,  HARRY. 
MEHMEL,  OTTO. 
MESSETT,  MICHAEL. 
MEYERS,  J.  J. 
MUELLER,  WILLIAM. 
MURPHY,  JOHN. 
MCDERMOTT,  GEORGE. 
NAGEL,  GEORGE. 
NEFF,  HARRY  D. 

Discharged  Feb.  7,  1899. 
NEHLSEN,  HENRY. 
NEITHAMMER,  FRED. 


PAULS,  JOHN. 

PAYETTE,  FREDERICK. 

PERRY,  JOHN. 

PETERSON,  CHAS.  R. 

PFLEGER,  FRED  F. 

PFLEGER,  PHILIP  H. 

Discharged  Jan.  5,  1899. 

POSSELT,  JOHN  G. 

Discharged  Dec.  29,  1898. 

RODGER s,  IHRANK  C. 

RUEGG,  FREDERICK. 

SALVAGE,  LEO. 

SANDSTEDT,  AXEL. 

SCHLADEK,  O.  G.  A.  R. 

SUTHERLAND,  JAMES. 

SZKARPIAK,  ALBERT. 

THIEBEAULT,  WM.  U 

THOMSEN,  WM.  H. 

WAGNER,  CHARLES. 

WALTERS,  WILLIAM. 

Transferred  to  U.   S.   Hos 
pital  Sept.  29,  1898. 

WAGNER,  CHAS. 

Discharged  Dec.  30,  1898. 

WELTON,  CLARENCE  W. 

WELLMAN,  F.  G. 

ZEISENHENNA,  CHAS. 


CHAPTER  XXX 

PECULIAR      EXPERIENCES     AND      CHARACTERISTICS 

You  will  see  by  the  following  table  that  nearly 
every  nationality  on  the  globe  was  represented  in 
the  Second  Illinois  at  the  time  of  its  mustering  into 
service : 

Grand  Totals ..     :   :§^^t^w^^iriJf*^'~'>~'f')l~'r''l~'OCl~'£r'~'r 

Field,  Staff  and 

Non  Com ^^S1  :   :  H   '•  w   :    :    :   :  :   :   :   :   :  M 


Averages  and 
Totals  ...... 


Company  M. . . 
Company  L. . . . 
Company  K.  , 
Company  I.... 
Company  H.  . . 
Company  G. 
Company  F.  . . 
Company  E.  . . 
Company  D.  . . 
Company  C .  . . 
Company  B.  . . 
Company  A.  . . 


420 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER   INFANTRY  421 

The  recruits  who  joined  the  regiment  in  June, 
1898,  may  have  changed  the  above  data  a  little, 
but  not  materially;  only  in  the  totals.  There  were 
978  soldiers  mustered  into  the  service,  and  50 
officers,  making  a  total  of  1,028. 

Among  these  men  one  might  find  every  profes 
sion  and  occupation  known  to  men.  Entertain 
ments  never  lacked  for  actors,  parties  for  music,  or 
camp  fires  for  story  tellers.  In  this  Major  Purin- 
ton  and  Captain  Thompson  always  led ;  they  made 
the  evening  gatherings  at  headquarters  in  Jackson 
ville  and  Savannah  most  enjoyable. 

The  honors  were  equally  divided  between  Chief 
Musician  Smith  and  his  band ;  Major  Purinton  and 
Captain  Thompson  with  recitals  of  incidents ;  Cap 
tain  Swatek  our  songster;  Dickens,  Scott,  Mark 
Twain  and  Joe  Jefferson  were  not  in  it  one  even 
ing  after  a  hurricane.  In  the  camp,  near 
Panama,  at  Camp  Cuba  Libre,  Jacksonville,  Fla., 
the  following  story  was  told  on  the  Major,  who 
never  attempted  to  deny  it.  Standing  out  in  the 
wind  and  rain,  wrapped  in  poncho  and  Mackintosh, 
the  Major  called  attention  to  a  wooden  shack  which 
he  had  erected  with  his  own  hands,  and  with  a 
degree  of  pride  worthy  of  the  occasion  (for  most  of 
the  tents  and  shacks  had  fallen  before  the  storm), 
he  said:  'There  is  a  shack  that  will  stand  the 
storm.  I  built  it  and  I  know  it  will  stand.  If  you 
want  anything  done  right  you  must  do  it  yourself. 
I  was  in  the  war  of  the  sixties  and  learned  a  few 
things  about  these  Southern  storms."  Just  then  the 


422 


HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 


LAMPHILIA  STREET,   HAVANA. 


cape  of  his  outer  garment  covered  his  head  to  shield 
him  from  the  mortification  of  witnessing  the  down 
fall  of  his  boarded  shack,  but  when  he  could  see,  his 
shack  was  ten  feet  in  the  air,  and  it  came  down  in 
as  many  pieces.  "If  you  want  anything  done  right 
do  it  yourself;  it  takes  an  old  veteran  to  build  shacks 
for  this  climate,"  was  a  song  ever  after. 

The  experience  of  a  recruit  is  given  as  follows: 

3:10  A.  M. — I  woke  up  with  a  start.     Found  a 

man  holding  a  lantern  in  my  face.     Badly  scared. 

Thought  he  might  be  a  Spaniard  with  a  searchlight. 

"Is  there  a  supernumary  in  this  tent?"  he  said.     I 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  423 

said  there  wasn't.  Wonder  what  a  supernumary  is, 
anyway.  The  Quartermaster  didn't  issue  me  any 
thing  like  that.  Laid  awake  an  hour  wondering 
why  he  thought  I  had  his  supernumary,  and  what 
he  wanted  it  for  at  that  time  of  night. 

4:30  A.  M. — Was  sleeping  soundly  again,  when 
some  guy  not  ten  feet  away  began  to  practice  on  a 
cornet.  Looked  at  my  watch — that's  how  I  know 
it  was  4:30.  Before  the  guy  could  get  his  cornet 
tuned  a  whole  drum  corps  got  into  the  game. 
Wanted  to  see  what  was  the  matter,  and  started  to 
put  on  my  clothes.  Stepped  on  a  fellow's  foot. 
Was  promptly  called  a  "fool  rookie,"  and  told  that 
it  was  "only  first  call  for  reveille."  Didn't  see  what 
that  had  to  do  with  cornet  and  drums,  but  obeyed 
orders  and  went  to  sleep. 

5  :05  A.  M. — Woke  up  again.  Every  one  was 
jumping  around.  Thought  there  must  be  a  fire. 
The  First  Sergeant  began  to  call  everybody  by  name. 
Before  I  could  get  more  than  a  shoe  and  a  shirt  on 
I  heard  him  say:  "Jimson"  and  then  "John  Jim- 
son."  That's  me,  you  bet.  Then  he  yelled  out 
"police  duty."  Wonder  what  he  means  by  that. 

5:15  A.  M. — Some  one  called  out  "fall  in  for 
mess."  They  don't  have  breakfast  in  the  army. 
Stood  in  line  twenty  minutes,  and  all  I  got  then  was 
some  boiled  potatoes  and  a  piece  of  pork  on  a  tin 
plate.  Of  course  soldiers  couldn't  expect  to  have 
china  plates;  they  might  get  broken  on  a  long 
march,  but  I  didn't  like  the  way  the  cook  acted 
when  I  asked  where  the  cream  and  sugar  were.  He 


424          HISTORY    OF   THE   SECOND    REGIMENT 

just  glared  at  me  and  said,  "What?"  Guess  Blanco 
must  have  cut  off  the  sugar  supply.  But  don't 
understand  about  the  cream. 

6  A.  M.— "Fall  in  for  sick  call,"  was  the  next 
number   on   the   programme.      "That's   for   me," 
thought  I.     I  was  sick — pork  never  did  agree  with 
me,  anyway.     But  when  I  remembered  the  stories 
I  had  read  about  army  doctors,  concluded  that  I 
hadn't  anything  that  needed  amputation  just  then. 
When  the  other  fellows  got  back  from  the  hospital 
they  said  all  they  got  was  sugar  pills.     Those  pills 
would  have  been  just  right  for  my  coffee.     Wonder 
if  General  Miles  knows  that  we  don't  get  sugar  in 
our  coffee. 

7  A.  M. — Nicely  settled  down  to  read  the  morn 
ing  paper  and  attend  to  my  correspondence.     You 
bet  I'll  write  my  girl  a  nice — "Fall  in  for  company 
drill."     Great  Scott !     Didn't  know  they  started  to 
work  so  early  in  the  army.     Thought  that  all  sol 
diers  had  to  do  was  to  fix  up  for  dress  parade  so 
people  could  see  how  fine  they  looked.     But  I'm  as 
good  as  any  volunteer  in  the  camp,  and  maybe  the 
"cap"  needs  me  to  help  him  out  in  the  drill. 

8  A.  M. — Great  Gesar  and  George  Washington, 
how  they  drilled  us!     But  I  showed  up  fine,  even 
if  the  Captain  did  call  me  down  pretty  often.     Be 
lieve  he's  jealous  of  me,  because  when  he  said  "right 
dress"  every  one  turned  and  looked  at  me.     But  I 
looked  straight  to  the  front  as  modestly  as  I  could, 
when  the  old  fool  swore  at  me  and  made  us  all  look 
up  the  line  at  him.     If  I  haven't  as  much  style  as 
him  I'll  quit  the  armv. 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  425 

8 115  A.  M. — The  fellow  with  the  cornet  just  made 
another  break.  "That's  'fatigue  call,'  "  said  one  of 
my  tent  mates.  "That  just  suits  me/'  said  I;  "I'm 
just  tired  enough  for  a  long  rest."  And  then  the 
whole  crowd  laughed.  Soldiers  laugh  at  every 
thing.  Before  they  got  through  laughing  an  offi 
cer  came  up  and  said  that  I  was  on  "police  duty" 
for  not  answering  roll  call.  Then  I  found  out  what 
fatigue  means  in  the  army.  It  means  picking  up 
paper  and  chips,  sweeping  the  ground  and  washing 
dirty  dishes.  Wish  I  had  a  dictionary  to  look  up 
that  word  again. 

8 130  A.  M. — Started  my  letter  to  Jennie,  when 
the  Sergeant  called  out  "Fall  in  for  battalion  drill." 
Holy  smoke,  what  is  a  battalion  drill,  anyway?  and 
what  has  that  to  do  with  me?  I  didn't  enlist  in  any 
battalion.  The  First  Sergeant  says  that  I  had  bet 
ter  drill  first  and  kick  afterward.  Wonder  if  Gen 
eral  Brooke  knows  how  they  run  things  out  here  at 
Jay's  Mill. 

9:30  A.  M. — No  more  battalion  drills  in  mine! 
Wonder  if  the  regular  army  soldiers  have  to  drill  for 
a  whole  hour  at  a  time,  and  half  the  time  double 
quick,  too.  These  soldiers  here  seem  to  like  to 
drill;  that's  why  they  call  them  volunteers,  I  sup 
pose.  I'm  not  afraid  to  run  and  march  even  in  hot 
weather,  but  when  they  make  me  lie  right  down  on 
the  muddy  ground  with  my  new  uniform  on  I  think 
it's  time  to  kick. 

10:30  A.  M. — They  worked  the  "fatigue"  racket 
on  me  again.  Must  think  I'm  easy.  Splitting 


426          HISTORY    OF    THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

wood  isn't  bad  exercise,  though;  but  don't  see  why 
they  need  one  of  them  corporals  over  me  all  the 
time  to  boss  the  job. 

12  M. — Had  mess  again.  Know  now  why  they 
call  it  "mess" — everything's  all  together.  Not  a 
bad  idea,  though,  when  you're  hungry.  The  army 
is  a  good  thing  for  your  appetite.  Missed  the  but 
ter  for  the  first  time.  Didn't  see  anybody  eating 
pie — so  didn't  ask  about  it — afraid  they  might  give 
me  the  laugh  again. 

1  P.    M. — Fatigue   again.     No   change   in   the 
definition  of  the  word  fatigue.     It  means   "dirty 
work."     Can  tell  now  why  the  fellow  with  the  cor 
net  plays  "recall  from  fatigue." 

2  P.  M. — Officers  all  went  over  to  the  Colonel's 
tent.     Fellow  said  it  was  officers'  school.     Thought 
I  would  go  over,  too.     The  Colonel  didn't  seem  to 
be  very  glad  to  see  me,  and  said  that  I  was  probably 
needed  over  in  the  company  street.     Remembered 
that  I  hadn't  finished  my  letter  to  Jennie.      The 
officers  seemed  to  be  having  a  gay  time  when  I  left. 
They  were  laughing  about  something  or  other. 

3:15  P.  M. — Got  a  good  start  on  my  letter,  but 
decided  to  stop  for  a  while  to  see  the  regimental 
drill,  so  I  could  tell  Jennie  all  about  it,  when  the 
Sergeant  asked  me  to  go  along  and  to  help  them 
out  by  carrying  a  gun.  I  went.  It  was  a  sham 
battle  and  I  got  excited.  We  did  all  sorts  of  move 
ments,  marched  and  double-quicked,  and  then  we 
laid  right  down  on  our  stomachs  and  began  to  crawl 
like  so  many  snakes.  It  was  hot  work,  and  the 


427 


438          HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

sweat  soaked  my  new  uniform,  clear  through. 
Didn't  get  one  look  at  the  men  we  were  fighting, 
and  came  back  to  camp  disgusted  with  the  army. 
If  fighting  Spaniards  is  half  as  much  work  as  fight 
ing  sham  battles,  I  shall  quit  the  army  and  go  back 
to  the  farm. 

4 130  P.  M. — Cleaned  up  the  fatigue  work  which 
had  piled  up  while  we  were  out  for  drill.  Shall 
never  miss  roll  call  again. 

5  130  P.  M. — Mess  call.  Pork  and  beans;  wanted 
more;  no  more  to  be  had. 

6:10  P.  M. — Dress  parade.  It  was  just  out  of 
sight!  Everything  was  grand  until  I  looked 
around  to  see  the  band,  and  stubbed  my  toe  on  a 
rock.  The  whole  company  walked  right  over  me, 
and  swore  all  the  time  they  were  doing  it.  Wonder 
when  we  get  new  uniforms.  It  was  a  great  parade. 

9:15  P.  M. — Just  finished  my  letter  to  Jennie. 
Some  fool  yells,  "Lights  out."  The  idea  of  having 
to  go  to  bed  as  early  as  this !  Nice  thing  this  volun 
teer  army.  Wish  I  was  a  regular.  Must  write  to 
General  Miles — there  goes  the  light. — Chattanooga 
Times. 

A  country  farmer  who  came  miles  to  see  the 
review  of  the  Seventh  Army  Corps,  was  thrown  into 
a  spasm  when  his  eyes  rested  on  Major-General  Lee ; 
for  years  he  had  busied  himself  in  the  routine  of 
farm  life  with  no  sense  of  responsibility  for  anything 
outside  of  his  fields,  stock,  and  home.  "What," 
said  he,  "is  the  war  still  going  on?  I  heard  that  Lee 
had  surrendered  and  the  war  was  over,  and  here  it 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  429 

is  in  full  blast.  Well,  you  can't  believe  anything 
you  hear  nowadays !" 

There  are  hundreds  and  thousands  who  will  find 
themselves  as  much  at  sea  as  this  poor  man  was, 
who  depend  upon  the  newspaper  reports  for  the 
closing  of  the  Spanish  war.  Peace  may  be  declared, 
but  the  war  of  civilization  is  not  over. 

General  Lee,  relating  his  experience  on  the 
frontier,  says  the  troops  with  which  he  had  been 
associated  had  been  having  a  hard  time  chasing 
Indians,  and  were  resting  up,  about  100  miles  away. 
At  this  time  ten  troopers  were  missing,  with  their 
horses,  and  Lieutenant  Lee  was  placed  in  charge  of 
a  detail  and  ordered  to  capture  the  deserters.  At 
once  the  party  started,  following  the  trail,  across  the 
prairie,  toward  the  eastward  and  Dallas.  For  hours 
the  riding  was  hard,  and  at  night  the  little  band  was 
still  in  the  open,  and  no  sign  had  been  seen  of  the 
fugitives — only  the  hoofprints  where  the  horses  had 
passed  hours  before.  The  party  was  allowed  to  rest 
just  long  enough  to  renew  life  in  the  horses,  when 
they  resumed  the  journey. 

It  was  night  when  they  reached  the  little  frontier 
town,  but  their  efforts  were  rewarded.  The  ten 
deserters  were  all  found  in  one  of  those  canteens  for 
which  the  West  was  then  famous. 

They  were  promptly  turned  over  to  the  town 
marshal  and  locked  in  jail.  It  so  happened  that  a 
strolling*  circus  had  stopped  in  Dallas  that  night, 
and  Lieutenant  Lee  was  one  among  those  who 
crowded  the  board  seats  in  the  big  tent.  The  indis- 


43°          HISTORY    OF   THE   SECOND    REGIMENT 

pensable  clown  was  naturally  the  center  of  attrac 
tion,  and  years  afterward  this  performer  became  one 
of  the  best  known  men  in  the  circus  ring.  A  num 
ber  of  local  jokes  were,  of  course,  included  in  his 
evening's  entertainment,  and  Lieutenant  Lee  was 
praised  and  made  fun  of  to  the  delight  of  the  entire 
gathering.  Later  the  young  officer  was  presented 
to  the  performer,  and  behind  the  canvas  separation 
between  the  big  amphitheater  and  the  dressing- 
room  the  two  men,  so  differently  situated,  became 
quite  friendly.  They  strolled  back  to  the  hotel- 
such  as  it  was  in  those  days— and  before  morning 
they  were  sworn  allies. 

During  the  exchange  of  confidences  Lieutenant 
Lee  promised  to  send  on  his  horse  with  the  prisoners 
to  a  point  some  fifteen  miles  further  west,  where  the 
roads  divided,  and  there  the  party  would  wait  for  the 
officer,  he  having  agreed  to  drive  out  with  the 
clown.  The  circus  was  also  moving  west  at  day 
light,  and  the  men  expected  to  overtake  their  re 
spective  traveling  companions. 

Morning  came,  and  about  9  o'clock  the  officer 
and  clown  breakfasted.  A  little  later  the  clown 
announced  the  arrival  of  his  carriage.  Lieutenant 
Lee  had  noticed  with  surprise  the  number  of  men 
and  women  who  had  congregated  on  the  street, 
but  he  never  suspected  the  cause  for  such  a  congre 
gation. 

The  clown  had  excused  himself  some  time  before, 
and  called  from  the  vehicle  to  the  officer  that 
arrangements  were  complete.  The  Lieutenant 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  431 

strolled  out  of  the  rough  building  which  enjoyed 
the  name  of  hotel,  and  was  speechless  with  amuse 
ment  to  see  his  circus  friend,  fully  equipped  for  the 
ring,  seated  on  the  high  seat  cf  a  curious  red  and 
blue  vehicle  which  was  drawn  by  half  a  dozen 
ponies.  Then  Lieutenant  Lee  realized  that  he  had 
been  caught  in  a  trap,  and  would  have  to  submit  to 
this  practical  joke.  He  climbed  up  to  the  high 
seat  and  perched  by  the  side  of  the  painted  clown, 
who  immediately  began  a  comic  song  and  did  every 
thing  in  his  power  to  attract  attention.  The  town 
turned  out  to  see  the  sight,  and  that  departure  was  a 
memorable  one.  The  clown  w^as  not  satisfied,  but 
drove  the  officer  across  the  miles  of  rolling  prairie 
to  where  the  sunburned  troopers  had  halted.  Here 
Lieutenant  Lee  was  practically  turned  over  to  his 
men  with  fitting  pomp  and  ceremony. 

The  roads  divided,  the  clown  faded  away  in  the 
bkte  line  of  the  horizon,  and  the  young  officer  gal 
loped  beyond  the  reach  of  eye  to  the  cavalry  camp. 

This  was  General  Lee's  first  visit  to  Dallas,  Texas, 
and  he  has  never  since  that  day,  years  ago,  ventured 
into  the  streets  of  that  little  city. 

The  following  story  shows  the  spirit  of  the  boys 
of  the  Second : 

Private  John  F.  Rooney  of  Company  H  is  one  of 
the  brightest  young  men  of  the  Second  Illinois,  and 
is  detailed  to  carry  the  mail  to  and  from  the  regi 
ment.  He  has  a  sweetheart  in  Chicago  whom  he 
often  longs  to  see,  and  one  day  last  week  he  got  so 
anxious  to  see  her  and  be  at  home,  he  wrote  his 


432          HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

father,  asking  him  if  he  could  not  do  something  to 
secure  an  honorable  discharge  from  the  United 
States  service.  The  letter  in  reply  was  anxiously 
looked  for;  at  last  it  came,  and  Rooney,  the  senior, 
said :  "My  son,  we  should  like  to  have  you  at 
home,  but  we  think  you  ought  to  learn  to  keep  your 
contracts.  It  will  be  better  for  you  in  the  future  of 
life.  A  manly,  resolute  adherence  to  contracts 
signed  will  go  a  long  ways  toward  establishing  a 
reputation  that  is  worth  more  than  money  or 
pleasure." 

Young  Rooney  accepted  the  counsel  with  a 
becoming  pride  in  his  father,  and  says:  "I  could 
not  be  hired  to  cancel  my  contract- with  the  War 
Department  of  the  United  States." 

Poor  little  Trilby  was  much  loved  in  Company 
M.  Wherever  the  men  went  she  was  sure  to  be 
found,  but,  like  everything  else  men  love  in  this 
life,  she  went  away  one  day  at  the  hand  of  death, 
leaving  the  whole  company  in  tears.  She  was 
merely  a  dog,  but  she  was  beloved  by  every  man  in 
the  company.  She  was  a  mere  pup  when  first  pre 
sented  to  Company  A,  at  Springfield,  111.,  and  was 
afterward  taken  in  charge  by  Company  M,  being 
brought  here,  and  grew  to  be  a  beautiful  dog. 

The  members  of  the  company,  desiring  to  show 
their  tender  feelings  toward  the  departed  Trilby, 
took  turns  in  digging  the  grave,  and  at  2:10  p.  m. 
the  mourners  fell  in,  and  the  funeral  procession  was 
formed.  Privates  Jagaman  and  Nehlsen  acted  as 
pallbearers,  and  were  followed  by  members  of  the 
company. 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  433 

Trilby  was  lowered  into  the  grave,  while  Private 
Brabandt  cut  a  cross  in  the  tree  overshadowing  the 
grave,  under  which  he  cut  the  name  "Trilby." 
Then  the  mourners  silently  marched  back  to  camp. 

EXPRESSIONS    FROM    THE    PRESS. 

"The  Second  Illinois  Volunteers  is  entitled  to  and 
will  receive  a  hearty  welcome  on  its  return  to  Chi 
cago.  So  far  as  its  opportunities  have  permitted,  it 
has  made  as  fine  a  record  as  any  of  the  troops  that 
volunteered  at  the  President's  call.  The  most  irk 
some  duties  that  fall  to  the  lot  of  a  soldier  have  been 
its  share,  and  it  has  performed  them  faithfully  and 
without  complaining. 

"Colonel  Moulton  has  reason  for  the  pride  he 
expresses  in  his  men.  They  have  shown  themselves 
to  be  w7ell-disciplined  and  true  soldiers.  The  fact 
that  there  has  not  been  a  death  in  the  regiment  since 
it  left  Savannah  is  the  best  possible  evidence  of  the 
efficiency  of  the  officers  and  the  splendid  training 
of  the  men.  They  have  proved  themselves  equal  to 
every  task  given  them,  and  at  the  same  time  have 
kept  themselves  in  excellent  health.  With  all  of 
the  drudgery  and  none  of  the  glory  of  the  war  they 
have  been  cheerful,  earnest,  and  obedient. 

"The  Second  Regiment  deserves  well  of  Chicago 
and  Illinois.  It  has  reflected  credit  on  the  city  and 
state  wherever  it  has  gone  and  in  whatever  it  has 
had  to  do." — Evening  Post,  Chicago. 

"The  Second  Illinois  Regiment  of  National 
Guard  now  located  at  Camp  Mackenzie  is  the  crack 


434          HISTORY    OF   THE   SECOND    REGIMENT 

regiment  of  the  State.  It  has  for  a  long  time  held 
a  warm  place  in  the  hearts  of  the  people  of  Illinois, 
and  since  coming  to  Augusta  they  have  likewise 
endeared  themselves  to  all  our  citizens  who  have 
had  the  privilege  of  meeting  them. 

"The  regular  army  officers  here  compliment  the 
Second  Illinois  in  the  highest  terms.  They  possess 
that  high  order  of  discipline  and  efficiency  which  we 
rarely  find  except  in  the  regular  army.  They  are  a 
type  of  that  species  of  military  organization  which 
has  always  been  a  bulwark  of  security  in  time  of 
peace  and  a  thunderbolt  of  power  in  time  of  war. 
They  have  maintained  their  organization  so  long 
that  they  have  the  inestimable  advantage  of  cumula 
tive  experience.  Camp  life  is  not  new  to  them. 

"They  come  from  one  of  the  greatest  states  of 
the  Union.  The  South  is  not  illiberal  and  freely 
concedes  the  military  genius  of  Grant,  whose  name 
has  made  Galena  immortal.  In  his  Mississippi 
campaign  he  did — thanks  to  the  fertility  of  the  soil 
—what  Napoleon  himself  dared  not  do :  broke  away 
from  his  base  of  supplies  and  maintained  his  army 
on  the  products  he  found.  The  members  of  the 
Second  Illinois  are  the  sons  of  men  who  knew  and 
esteemed  General  Grant,  and  have  had  the  spirit  of 
leadership  instilled  into  them. 

"It  is  a  great  pleasure  to  have  this  excellent  regi 
ment  with  us.  It  strengthens  the  bonds  between 
North  and  South.  We  understand  and  esteem  each 
other  better.  It  makes  us,  more  and  more,  a  united 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER   INFANTRY  435 

and  hence  an  invincible  people." — The  Augusta 
Herald,  Georgia. 

"During  the  short  stay  of  the  Second  Illinois  in 
Augusta  the  men  of  the  regiment  have  made  many 
friends  and  have  made  a  great  reputation  for  their 
drilling.  It  had  been  announced  that  'an  escort  of 
colors'  would  be  held  yesterday  and  consequently 
probably  the  largest  crowd  of  visitors  that  has  ever 
been  on  the  parade  ground  was  present  to  witness 
the  maneuver. 

"  The  escort  of  colors'  is  a  movement  that  had 
never  before  been  executed  in  Augusta,  and  there 
are  few  regiments  in  the  volunteer  service  that  have 
ever  taken  part  in  such  a  maneuver. 

"At  5  o'clock  the  companies  began  to  form  in 
their  streets  and  at  5:15  the  battalions  formed  on 
the  parade  ground.  The  band  then  started,  and 
while  Colonel  Moulton  and  staff  moved  out  to  take 
their  position  on  the  field  the  regiment  formed  in 
line  as  if  for  dress  parade.  The  band  then  marched 
down  the  line  and  Company  H,  commanded  by 
Captain  Garrity,  which  had  been  detailed  to  have 
the  honor  of  escorting  the  flag,  dropped  in  behind 
the  musicians  and  marched  around  behind  the  regi 
ment  in  front  of  the  Colonel's  tent,  where  the  stars 
and  stripes  were  floating. 

"The  music  then  stopped,  and  the  magnificent 
corps  of  bugles  stepped  forward  and  blew  the 
beautiful  color  call.  By  the  sound  of  the  drum,  the 
musicians  moved  forward,  followed  by  the  com- 


436          HISTORY    OF    THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

pany  with  the  flag  in  the  center,  borne  by  the  hand 
some  Color  Sergeant,  Hunter,  of  Company  L. 

"They  moved  slowly  behind  the  regiment  to  the 
extreme  left  of  the  line  and  then  the  sweet  notes  of 
one  of  their  choicest  airs  broke  forth. 

"Down  the  line  they  came,  finally  halting  just  in 
front  of  Colonel  Moulton,  who,  with  his  entire  staff, 
saluted.  Again  the  bugles  raised  their  brazen 
clarions,  the  clear  notes  pealed  forth,  and,  echoing 
from  hill  to  hill  seemed  to  take  pleasure  in  proclaim 
ing  honor  to  the  flag.  The  crisp  breeze  from  the 
east  made  the  bright  folds  of  the  colors  stand  forth 
trembling  in  the  breeze,  and  wave  over  the  heads  of 
the  escort,  speaking  protection  to  all.  In  the  west, 
the  bright  azure  of  the  sky  was  tinted  by  the  glow 
of  the  setting  sun,  and  the  white  clouds  drifting 
across  the  heavens  made  the  white  of  God's  flag  of 
liberty.  To  the  long  line  of  soldiers  standing  at 
attention,  it  seemed  as  if  the  flag  of  our  country 
floated  before  their  eyes,  and  in  the  distance  the 
bright  colors  of  its  stripes  were  reflected  on  the 
horizon. 

"As  the  notes  of  the  bugles  died  away  the  colors 
advanced  to  their  place  in  the  regiment,  Company 
H  took  its  place  in  the  battalion,  the  band  marched 
to  its  station  and  the  end  of  the  escort  of  colors  was 
applauded  by  thousands,  who  appreciated  the  work 
done. 

"It  would  be  impossible  to  explain  all  the  minute 
details  of  the  beautiful  movement,  but  it  is  sufficient 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  437 

to  say  that  only  the  best  drilled  of  regiments  could 
have  done  as  well. 

"After  this  maneuver  dress  parade  and  a  review 
was  held,  and  the  splendid  lines  of  the  companies 
again  testified  to  the  ability  of  the  men." — Augusta 
Chronicle,  Georgia. 


CHAPTER    XXXI. 

THE    MUSTER    OUT. 

Before  leaving  Cuba  instructions  had  been  given 
to  get  all  papers  and  books  in  the  best  possible  con 
dition  preparatory  for  the  muster  out.  Regular 
army  officers  came  and  spent  several  days  giving 
personal  instruction  to  the  company  commanders 
relative  to  the  proper  forms.  Not  knowing  the 
date  or  place  for  the  final  muster  out,  steps  were 
taken  to  be  ready  for  any  orders  that  might  reach 
us  on  our  arrival  at  Tampa,  Fla.  On  the  3Oth  of 
March  orders  were  received  to  move  from  Tampa 
to  Augusta,  Ga.,  and  prepare  for  final  muster,  which 
was  to  be  April  26th. 

The  company  commanders  busied  themselves  to 
find  the  best  scribes  of  their  companies  and  then 
began  the  tedious  yet  all  important  task  of  making 
out  the  final  muster  rolls.  There  were  six  of  the 
rolls  to  be  made.  The  first  was  a  scratch  roll,  and 
was  submitted  to  the  muster-out  officer  for  sugges 
tions  and  corrections.  Then  from  the  corrected 
roll  five  others  were  prepared.  One  sent  to  the 
office  of  the  Adjutant-General,  Washington.  One 
to  the  Adjutant-General  of  the  State  from  where  the 
troops  came.  One  copy  retained,  and  two  copies 
given  to  the  Paymaster.  A  muster  roll  contains 

438 


ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER   INFANTRY 


439 


CUBAN   PACK   HORSE. 

everything  pertaining  to  a  man's  record,  descrip 
tion  of  the  man,  length  of  service,  promotions,  num 
ber  of  days  sick,  duties  performed,  clothing  drawn 
and  clothing  credited,  in  fact  a  complete  record  of 
the  man.  None  can  imagine  the  amount  of  work 
that  is  required  to  prepare  these  even  for  1,000 
men.  All  the  clerks  were  set  at  work  preparing 
examination  blanks  for  the  men.  The  doctors  were 
all  under  orders  to  the  chief  examining  medical 
officer,  and  none  were  allowed  to  examine  the  men 
of  their  own  regiments,  so  that  every  examination 
should  be  free  from  any  partiality,  which  possibly 
might  be  shown  by  the  regimental  surgeon. 


44°          HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

A  complete  physical  record  of  the  man  was  made, 
and  if  he  claimed  anything  he  was  then  referred  to 
a  board  of  three  surgeons,  who  either  concur  or 
disagree  with  the  report  of  the  examination  as  first 
given.  A  careful  note  was  made  on  the  margin  of 
every  man's  paper.  These  were  taken  charge  of  by 
the  mustering  officers  and  sent  to  Washington, 
where  they  will  be  carefully  stored  for  future  refer 
ence.  The  company  sick  books  and  all  regimental 
hospital  books  were  also  sent  to  Washington.  So 
if  at  any  future  time  a  soldier  makes  a  claim  for  pen 
sion  the  servants  of  the  Government  will  have  before 
them  the  soldier's  daily  health  record,  sickness,  char 
acter  of  sickness,  number  of  days  sick,  and  where 
sick,  whether  in  quarters,  regimental  or  division 
hospitals. 

The  muster-out  process  was  the  most  trying 
service  to  the  commanding  officers.  There  were 
two  officers  to  whom  everything  issued  to  the  regi 
ment  was  charged,  the  Quartermaster  and  Com 
manding  Officer.  The  Quartermaster  had  charge 
of  all  clothing,  tents,  cots,  stoves,  fuel,  tools,  cook 
ing  outfits,  quarters,  and  lumber  issued  to  the  regi 
ment,  and  arranged  for  all  transportation.  The 
Ordnance  and  Commissary  Officer  had  to  account 
for  all  the  guns,  bayonets,  scabbards,  revolvers, 
swords,  belts,  blank  and  ball  cartridges,  blanket 
bags,  haversacks,  mess-outfits,  and  horse  equip 
ments  for  the  regiment.  His  commissary  duties 
make  him  responsible  for  everything  eaten  by  the 


men. 


ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY  441 

This  accountability  was  then  subdivided  among 
all  the  company  commanders.  If  a  company  com 
mander  had  issued  to  him  100  guns  with  ammuni 
tion  and  equipment,  he  was  charged  with  the  same, 
and  in  turn  charged  them  to  the  men.  The  soldier 
must  make  good  everything  issued  to  him,  unless 
the  loss  is  purely  accidental,  then  a  board  of  survey 
takes  up  the  matter  and  if  innocent,  relieves  the 
officer  to  whom  such  property  is  charged.  But, 
however  careful  the  chief  officer  may  be  there  is  sure 
to  be  some  shortage  during  a  year's  service,  and 
such  shortage  must  be  accounted  for.  Considering 
the  hundreds  of  thousands  of  dollars  charged  up  to 
the  regimental  Quartermaster  and  commanding 
officers,  it  speaks  volumes  for  them  and  the  efficient 
business  abilities  of  the  men  detailed  to  act  under 
them  that  all  the  property  was  properly  accounted 
for.  Such  was  the  record  of  the  Second,  that  after 
one  year's  service,  during  which  time  an  enormous 
amount  of  supplies  was  handled,  that  there  was  little 
or  nothing  not  readily  accounted  for.  It  was 
this  and  the  management  all  through,  of  the  regi 
mental  officers  which  brought  forth  the  favorable 
comment  by  the  regular  army  men,  who  said  that 
the  records  of  the  Second  Illinois  were  the  best  and 
nearest  perfect  of  any  volunteer  regiment  that  had 
yet  been  mustered  out.  This  remark  was  not 
simply  complimentary,  but  was  often  used  to  inspire 
the  officers  of  other  regiments  to  do  better  work  in 
preparing  their  reports,  and  it  is  a  matter  of  pride 
for  every  member  of  the  Second  Regiment  that  out 


442          HISTORY    OF   THE   SECOND    REGIMENT 

of  the  1,300  rolls  and  discharges  there  is  no  sentence 
or  word  that  calls  for  an  explanation.  An  honora 
ble  discharge  from  the  United  States  service  is  a 
badge  of  honor  to  its  possessor,  and  is  a  passport  to 
the  respect  and  confidence  of  every  citizen. 

The  last,  and  to  many  the  most,  important  item 
of  the  muster-out  was  the  pay.  The  United  States 
Government,  by  an  act  of  Congress,  generously 
voted  to  give  every  man  and  officer  who  had  served 
abroad  two  full  months'  extra  pay  as  a  gratuity. 
To  this  was  generously  added,  travel  pay,  at  the  rate 
of  twenty  miles  equivalent  to  one  day's  pay.  To 
the  enlisted  men  their  pay,  plus  the  ration  money, 
was  82  cents  per  day.  The  consideration  of  mile 
age  was  from  the  place  mustered  out  to  their  homes. 
The  great  majority  were  mustered  in  at  Springfield, 
some  at  Savannah,  some  at  Jacksonville,  Fla.,  and 
two  officers  at  Havana.  The  distance  from  Au 
gusta,  Ga.,  to  their  homes,  averaged  about  900 
miles,  thus  allowing  forty-five  days'  travel  pay. 
The  United  States  Government  is  to  be  commended 
for  this  generous  conduct  toward  its  soldiers,  and 
still  the  compensation  was  none  too  great  for  those 
who  risked  their  lives  and  made  sacrifices  of  their 
business  interests  at  home.  And  also  in  speaking 
of  the  generosity  of  the  Government  toward  its 
soldiers,  it  is  only  just  to  say,  that  no  army  or  body 
of  men  was  ever  so  welHed,  clothed,  and  paid,  care 
fully  looked  after,  and  provided  with  so  many  com 
forts,  better  attended  when  sick,  and  nursed  into 
health,  as  the  soldiers  of  the  United  States  during 


WILLIAM   McKINLEY,  PRESIDENT 


443 


444          HISTORY    OF   THE    SECOND    REGIMENT 

the  Spanish  war.  All  that  intelligent  care  and 
scientific  attainments  could  offer  was  done  for  the 
comfort  of  the  men  in  the  service.  When  we  com 
pare  the  conditions  under  which  our  men  served 
with  those  of  the  Spanish  soldiers  with  whom  we 
were  at  war,  the  contrast  grows  so  great  that  com 
parison  ceases.  It  is  said  that  Spain  sent  250,000 
men  to  Cuba,  one  of  the  greatest  armies  ever  trans 
ported  across  the  seas.  Out  of  this  250,000  men 
in  Cuba,  80,000  are  reported  to  have  died  of  dis 
eases  and  wounds.  To  properly  provide  for  such 
an  army  would  have  required  millions,  hence  only  a 
small  per  cent  of  Spain's  soldiers  were  even  properly 
equipped.  The  funds  sent  out  by  the  Spanish  Gov 
ernment  too  often  found  its  way  into  the  pockets 
of  corrupt  officials,  The  great  difference  in  the 
equipment  of  the  two  armies  could  never  be  more 
strongly  evidenced  than  the  comparison  we  saw  of 
Spain's  methods  of  treating  her  soldiers  in  Cuba, 
and  the  treatment  given  the  United  States  soldiers. 
In  conclusion,  it  is  safe  to  say  that  no  soldier 
returned  from  the  war  without  a  deeper  feeling  of 
patriotism  and  a  more  generous  view  of  the  great 
ness  and  goodness  of  his  own,  his  native  land. 


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